On 11 December 2025, representatives of 15 major business networks, employers’ associations, and chambers of commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina convened in Sarajevo for a joint working breakfast dedicated to one of the country’s most pressing priorities: improving pathways for Generation Z, the first fully digital generation, as they enter a rapidly evolving labour market. 

The event was jointly organised by the Agency for Labour and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the MUNJA Social Innovation Incubator, through its innovative STAR (Study, Train, Act, React) platform for youth career development, with the support of the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF-WB) and in partnership with the Telemach Foundation. 

Understanding the Labour Market of Today – and Tomorrow 

Opening the discussion, Ivan Barbalić, Director of the Agency for Labour and Employment of BiH, shared an overview of labour market trends and challenges across the country. He emphasised that this multi-stakeholder initiative builds directly on the Agency’s strategic decision, made a year earlier, to establish structured cooperation with civil society organisations – an approach that has already begun to yield tangible opportunities for young people. 

From the perspective of youth, Jan Z. Kulenović of the MUNJA Incubator and the STAR platform highlighted the particular realities facing Generation Z, who are projected to make up 30% of the global workforce by 2030. 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina alone, more than 108,000 secondary school students and 70,000 university students are currently engaged in an education system that, according to research, two-thirds of young people feel does not sufficiently prepare them for the expectations of employers. At the same time, employers themselves report gaps in skills, mindset, and motivation among young labour market entrants. 

These challenges are further amplified by the unprecedented pace of technological change. The World Economic Forum estimates that 100 million jobs will disappear globally within the next five years, while an even greater number of new roles will emerge. In such a context, the need for coordinated, future-focused action becomes not only clear but urgent. 

Business Community Ready for Joint Action 

The discussion with business network representatives revealed strong interest in joint initiatives, greater investment, continuous information exchange, and shared learning. The STAR platform presented a framework for coordinated engagement and invited business actors to help shape forward-looking policy recommendations through the upcoming STARforum in spring 2026, which will bring together employers, public institutions, and young people. 

Participants also expressed enthusiasm for engaging directly with more than 4,000 young people at the 5th edition of STARfest, planned for late March 2026. 

Several associations expressed interest in organising tailored sessions for their member companies on Generation Z’s work attitudes, expectations, and skill needs – aimed at identifying actionable steps employers can take to better support young people entering the labour market. 

Towards a Regional Western Balkans Approach 

The meeting concluded with a shared recognition of the need for regional cooperation across the Western Balkans. The STAR initiative announced plans to extend these efforts through coordinated cross-border dialogues and meetings in spring 2026, supported by the STAR.study portal, which will soon be available in all Western Balkan languages.