The EUD/EUSR in BiH hosted a reception on 20 October for five candidates from Bosnia and Herzegovina who were selected to participate in the EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans, where EU Special Representative/Head of Delegation Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and Deputy Head of Delegation Khaldoun Sinno congratulated the chosen candidates.

The five candidates from Bosnia and Herzegovina come from a range of different institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina that deal with European integration: Kenan Hodžić, Legal Associate at the Office of the Chair of BiH Council of Ministers; Dijana Dedić, Coordinator for EU Integration at the Office of the Prime Minister of Una Sana Canton; Danijela Bugarin, Senior Expert Associate at the BiH Directorate for European Integration; Emir Hrustanović, Professional Associate at the Office for EU Integration of FBiH Government; and Nataša Gavrić, Senior Associate at the Department for EU integration of the RS Government.

“Your work and what you are about to learn is very important, especially at this time in BiH. This country needs more people who understand EU integration and who will be able to practically apply this knowledge. The first opportunity to apply the learned practices will be in the exchange programme,” Ambassador Wigemark said.

The selected candidates will be offered the opportunity to attend an executive programme at Sciences Po in Paris and will be given an “Executive Certificate in Management and Public Policy”. They will also participate in a Regional Exchange Programme to promote the regional cooperation element of the EU integration process.

This executive programme aims at building professional capacity and preparing the next generation of public administrators and policy makers in the six Western Balkan countries that will be in charge of the accession process.