First B&H Youth Information Desk Compliant with European Standards

OIA

29 September 2005

The Youth Information Desk in Zenica was officially opened today, by the Mayor of Zenica Husein Smajlovic and the Executive Director of the Youth Information Agency, Jan Zlatan Kulenovic. The Youth Info Desk Zenica was established in partnership of the Municipality of Zenica and OIA B&H, with the financial support by the Open Society Institute B&H.

OIA B&H

The Information Desk will offer all information of interest to the youth of Zenica. The project is bases on the good European practices, introduced by OIA as a national partner of the ERYICA (European Youth Information and Counseling Agency.

There are over 8,000 youth information desks and centres in existence in Europe today, which makes this project a small, but important step towards integration in European processes. Its special value lies in the fact that it was created in partnership of local authorities and NGOs.

The Information Desk will offer information to the youth on university studies, career and employment opportunities, education, health, status and rights of the youth, youth organization, local services for the youth, daily events/affairs/actions, leisure time activities, travel, international programmes, etc.

In addition to information, it is planned for the Youth Information Desk to provide the services of counsel and advisory on a variety of areas (youth rights, communication with authorities, legal advise, sexual and reproductive health, drug abuse, etc.).

The offered services were based on the demands presented by the youth and their needs. All services will be provided by trained, professional staff, in a comfortable atmosphere and free of charge.