Savez za sport i rekreaciju FBIH
ORIUNITE: Reconnecting Youth Through Orienteering in Zavidovići
The Association for Information and Affirmation of Citizens “Z-Media” organized an inspiring event titled “ORIUNITE: Reconnecting Youth through Orienteering,” which gathered 40 participants, mostly high school students from different ethnic groups. This one-day event was held in Zavidovići and focused on ORIUNITE as a tool for overcoming conflicts and bridging divisions among young people.
During the activities, participants became familiar with the ORIUNITE project, learning about how and why it was founded, its goals, and ways they can get involved. The aim of the event was to present the project to youth and show them how they can use orienteering and the project’s tools to resolve challenges in their communities, as well as to bring together traditionally divided groups.
The participants included not only high schoolers but also university students, professors, civil society leaders, and youth workers. This diverse group enabled a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. At first, encouraging students to participate, ask questions, and share opinions was challenging, but as they became better acquainted with the project and orienteering, the majority actively participated and shared their visions for its application in the local community.
The event successfully achieved its goal: it raised awareness about ORIUNITE, improved the understanding of teamwork and problem-solving through orienteering, and motivated participants to apply the project’s tools to promote dialogue and cooperation in their environments. Increased motivation among youth to use these tools to overcome divisions stands out as a key outcome.
Participants shared highly positive impressions. A professor from a local high school said:
“It was fun, something that students do not see in schools and something they rarely have the opportunity to attend and use for growth as young people.”
Another participant added:
“I liked it. The students were curious about what they could take away from the project and how its tools could help them become more open-minded and experience new environments.”
ORIUNITE represents an important step toward empowering youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoting unity through fun and practical activities. Events like this demonstrate that it is possible to overcome challenges through teamwork and innovative approaches.