The implementation of annual project “Support to BiH in Specific EU Programmes” began in late February 2013, namely MEDIA 2007, Creative Europe, Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action and PROGRESS. Partners in the implementation of this project, which is funded by the European Union, are: the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission for Coordination of Youth Issues in BiH, the Directorate for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina (DEI) and EPRD Consortium. The project aims to provide support to the BiH institutions and potential applicants from BiH to take greater participation in specific EU programmes. 06. The third training for organizations in BiH dealing with youth issues was held in Banja Luka on 6 June 2013, with the aim of increasing the number of successful applications for the YIA programme. The training was attended by around 30 representatives of organizations dealing with youth from many cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  On behalf of the Commission for Coordination of Youth Issues in BiH, the audience was addressed by Branka Malesevic, the Commission Vice-President and Assistant Minister in the Government of the Republic of Srpska.  The aim of the training was to familiarize interested organizations with the project application procedure, filling out applications and the entire project preparation. The fourth and final training will be held in Banja Luka on 5 July 2013.

The Commission for Coordination of Youth Issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Youth Organization AUCTUS of Banja Luka, which is a license holder for the development of EYCA and ISIC cards for youth in BiH, held the EYCA programme presentation at the territory of the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to further promote the programme and involvement of youth from the local communities in the implementation of the project. The presentation of EYCA programme has been successfully carried out in five BiH cities, Trebinje, Mostar, East Sarajevo, Zenica and Banja Luka between 22 April and 24 May 2013. Around 100 representatives of youth organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the first cycle of promotions, and participants had the opportunity to learn about discounts and conveniences to young people provided by the European Youth Card.  The field experiences were presented by volunteers of AUCTUS, who have already been working on the development and promotion of the card in their local communities for six months. All participants of the training who met the condition were given an EYCA card as a gift. A total of 84 EYCA cards are given during the first cycle of the programme promotion.  The Commission for Coordination of Youth Issues in BiH will implement ISIC and EYCA card promotion in the other five cities during the month of June of the current year according to the previously established schedule.  More information on the EYCA card benefits can be found at www.eyca.ba  and www.eyca.org

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