The British Council’s SPARK: Skilled Youth, Empowered Communities programme, funded by the UK Government, supported young people in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo to design and deliver projects that strengthened social cohesion. Through training, mentoring, and teamwork, participants discovered how much impact they could have when they acted together.
The most successful applicants were awarded a trip to Northern Ireland, where they spent a week with youth organisation R-City, exploring community-led change and peacebuilding, sharing experiences, and building new friendships.
Here, six participants reflect on what the SPARK journey meant to them.
- ‘Every change starts within ourselves, yet it becomes even more meaningful when you see your city growing and evolving alongside you.’ – Muhamed Smakić
- ‘My favourite part was the realisation of our Push Me project because it opened up opportunities for new projects and new workshops that I could go to — it was really a wonderful experience.’ – Melisa Prtinac
- ‘The SPARK programme showed me that unity is not just important — it becomes unstoppable when people share the same vision.’ – Hanifa Ujkanović
- ‘Before joining, I mostly thought of projects as something only professionals or organisations could create. SPARK taught me that young people also have the power to identify problems, design solutions, and take action.’ – Ferhad Zoranić
- ‘Most inspiring to me was seeing teamwork turn one person’s dream into projects for the benefit of many. Now I understand that change starts when we are brave enough to try it.’ – Demir Mekić
- ‘I learned that we don’t have to wait for someone else to bring about change — sometimes we can take the first step ourselves. There is a unique pride that comes from seeing an idea grow into reality.’ – Altana Mujović