Svitac (Firefly in Bosnia) Project Report – January 2026

ON-GOING PROGRAMME

  • Culture and Art Diversity around the World – Includes Language, Art&Crafts, Music, Drama, and Sports workshops from Monday to Friday (4-14)
    • Standard and Conversational Language workshops – English, German
      • I love English – English workshops for 15-30
      • “Lasstuns Deutsch sprechen!/Pričajmo njemački!“ (Let’s speak German) – German workshops for 15-30
    • Music workshops – samba, guitar for 15-30
       

       

      HIGHLIGHTS ON THE MONTH’S ACTIVITIES

      • After the winter break, we resumed our work with renewed energy and a steady pace. It was a joy to work with young people and children once more, witnessing their curiosity, creativity, and smiles. As we reconnected, we co-created meaningful moments and continued our journey together. Apart from that, the visit to Svitac (Firefly in Bosnia) by a delegation from the Council of Europe marked a significant step forward in supporting youth development initiatives in the region. The delegation included notable figures such as Gordana Berjan, representing the Council of Europe’s youth sector, and Georges Metz, director of the National Youth Service in Luxembourg. Their presence underscored the importance of enhancing activities and projects at the Youth Centre of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina—a dedicated space for young people to learn, develop skills, and express their creativity. Local officials, including Milijana Simic, Head of the Department for Professional and Administrative Affairs, and Zoran Jesic, Head of the Sub-Department for Support to Local Communities, NGOs, Associations, and Youth Work, further supported the visit. Their involvement underscores a collaborative effort to promote youth engagement and enhance the centre’s role as a hub for youth empowerment and community development. This engagement is expected to facilitate the expansion of youth programs, encourage international cooperation, and promote active participation among young people in the region. The ongoing partnership between local authorities and international organizations aims to create sustainable opportunities for youth to thrive and contribute positively to their communities. Svitac’s (Firefly in Bosnia) international volunteers also engaged in various daily activities, focusing on different initiatives such as supporting online events and promoting the organization through social media.
      • In January, approximately 140 participants regularly took part in Svitac’s (Firefly in Bosnia) activities. Participants were aged between 4 and 30 years old. The youngest and the oldest participants attended Culture and Art Diversity around the World workshops and English/German conversational workshops.
        • Younger group – They continued discussing various interesting and educational topics, creating different drawings and collages, and talking about endangered species, migratory birds, and the cultures of Inuit and Aboriginal peoples. The group engaged in rhythm practice, song rehearsals, and dance choreography. Participants continued to learn and write numbers; this month, they learned to write numbers from 16-18. They performed warm-up exercises and children’s yoga, and every Thursday, they danced, participated in sports, and worked on maintaining focus and concentration while reading and listening to stories (The Matchstick Girl, Tangled). In the English, German, and Turkish language workshops, they learned vocabulary related to house, clothes, animals, musical instruments and winter. All workshops employ an educational visual method utilizing pictures and videos; these informal educational sessions aim to foster creativity, memory, motor skills, empathy, socialization, and tolerance for diversity. The highlight with the younger group was undoubtedly the outdoor activities on the first snowfall of the year. Despite the deep snow cover and temperatures dipping below zero, the enthusiasm of the youngest participants remained undiminished, making the day memorable for everyone involved.
        • Older group –They covered the following topics: importance of education (understanding different cultures and perspectives through education, and its role in promoting tolerance), youth labour market, Veganuary – healthy eating habits, and winter holidays. In this way, we aim to offer young people a safe and neutral environment where they can share their opinions and express both positive and negative emotions without fear of judgment. During the Language Workshops, the group focused on practicing everyday communication, reading and translating short texts and phrases, working on grammar, completing school assignments, and engaging in projects. The highlight for the older group was work on the Digital Media Literacy Quiz, when they had the opportunity to create questions and answers for their fellow youth. This allowed them to not only deepen their understanding of the subject but also foster their creativity and critical thinking. They also discussed various topics related to digital media, such as identifying trustworthy sources, understanding online privacy, and recognizing misinformation.

MUSIC PROJECTS

  • During the guitar lessons, participants continued to engage in repetitive practice and performance of classical and pop compositions tailored to their individual skill levels. The material was adapted according to each participant’s knowledge, ensuring appropriate progression. Rhythmic exercises incorporated both treble and bass clefs, enhancing versatility and understanding. Selected guitar pieces were also covered to reinforce practical skills.
  • Additionally, ongoing rhythm practice was emphasized, with participants performing both shorter and longer classical and popular pieces. Fingering exercises persisted to improve technique and accuracy. A particular focus was maintained on reviewing music theory concepts, including reading notes, performing scales in major and minor keys, and recognizing and applying standard musical notation. This comprehensive approach aimed to strengthen both technical proficiency and theoretical understanding.

VOLUNTEERS

  • In January, Svitac (Firefly in Bosnia) greatly appreciated the collaboration with an international volunteer from Germany.
  • Three volunteers from Bosnia are doing their service in Germany and Italy (11-12 months).
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