This article was created by
Kristiin Jets, e-Governance Academy
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KnowCyber grantee spotlight: Youth cybersecurity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
As cyber threats increasingly affect everyday life, young people remain among the most vulnerable online. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, this challenge is particularly pressing. Recent surveys show that over 50% of children in the country feel unsafe online, having experienced unpleasant or harmful situations such as cyberbullying, scams or misuse of personal data.
Responding to this reality, Centre for Sustainable Development COR Bihać launched the Stay Safe Online initiative as part of the KnowCyber programme. The project focused on empowering young people, educators and parents with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Do you feel safe online?
“At the heart of our work is the question: Do you feel safe online?,” says Aida Ramić, Executive Director of COR Bihać.
“For many children and young people, the answer is no. That is why digital safety education must be accessible, practical and grounded in real-life experiences.”
With a strong background in non-formal education, COR Bihać placed special emphasis on preventive education by helping young people protect their personal information, recognise cyber threats and respond to online risks before harm occurs.
Through the KnowCyber grant, the organisation strengthened its own cybersecurity capacities and designed a programme that brought together pupils, high school students, university students, teachers and parents to ensure that digital safety was addressed across generations and learning environments.
A key success factor of the project was direct access to educational institutions, which enabled the project team to work closely with schools, students and teachers. Over time, COR Bihać built strong trust with schools, governing bodies, parents, and NGOs, laying the foundation for long-term cooperation.
To broaden outreach beyond classrooms, the team launched a social media awareness campaign, reaching more than 20,000 people across Facebook and Instagram. The campaign translated cybersecurity concepts into clear, relatable messages for children, teenagers and parents alike, reinforcing the importance of safe online behaviour in everyday digital life.
Ajna Jodanovic, team member of the Stay Safe Online initiative, at the KnowCyber workshop in Brussels.
Focus on practial learning
The Stay Safe Online initiative combined awareness-raising with hands-on learning:
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University students participated in three workshops with over 50 participants, focusing on practical digital safety skills.
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High school students attended three workshops, which addressed cybersecurity threats and how to respond to them.
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Pupils in elementary schools took part in age-appropriate sessions designed to introduce basic online safety concepts in an accessible way.
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Teachers and parents joined dedicated workshops on digital safety in classrooms and at home, strengthening their role as trusted guides for young people.
Central to these activities was a modern, adaptable syllabus that connected technology with legal basics in a clear and practical manner. Designed to be easily adjusted to different schools and communities, the curriculum encourages safe, responsible and mindful online behaviour across all age groups.
“Besides technology, digital safety is also about understanding rights, responsibilities and the legal foundations of online behaviour. By combining these elements, we created a curriculum that schools can realistically use and adapt,” Aida Ramić explains.
Impact
Beyond individual workshops, the project established a solid foundation for a long-term youth cybersecurity programme in the local community. It strengthened partnerships with NGOs, schools, and ministries, increased digital safety awareness across the region and created a base for continued cooperation with public institutions.
“Our work doesn’t end here. The goal is to expand these efforts nationwide and ensure that every young person has the knowledge and confidence to stay safe online,” says Ramić.
Watch the presentation
