SDG Week in BiH 2025
SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina serves as a catalyst for awareness, exchange, and collaboration. It offers space to showcase progress, amplify successful solutions, identify challenges, and promote inclusive and transformative approaches tailored to the country’s unique development context.
The 2025 edition marks the fifth SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina, continuing the tradition of bringing together institutions, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to accelerate progress toward Agenda 2030. Its objective is to raise awareness by enhancing public understanding of the SDGs and their relevance to BiH’s future, support the implementation of the SDG Framework through strengthened institutional capacities and the work of the SDG Council, and to foster partnerships by promoting cross-sector collaboration that drives collective advancement of sustainable development.
20 – 24 October 2025
- Day 1 – Monday, 20 October
- Day 2 – Tuesday, 21 October
- Day 3 – Wednesday, 22 October
- Day 4 – Thursday, 23 October
- Day 5 – Friday, 24 October - UN Day
Day 1 – Monday, 20 October
Opening Event of the SDG Week
From Commitments to Impact: Accelerating SDGs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Organised by UNDP/UNICEF/Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The 2025 SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina will open with a high-level event that celebrates the leadership of local governments in advancing the 2030 Agenda through the lens of the five key dimensions of sustainable development – the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
The event will highlight success stories and best practices from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, demonstrating how coordinated action between public institutions, the private sector, and local communities drives policy transformation, economic resilience, and sustainable progress.
Location: BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sarajevo
Focal point: Emir Adžović – emir.adzovic@undp.org
Disability Inclusion Session
Organised by UNDP/OHCHR
Disability inclusion is central to achieving the SDGs in BiH. This session will take a life cycle approach, looking at how persons with disabilities interact with social sector systems – from early detection and education, to health, labor market inclusion, and social protection.
It will highlight both barriers and innovations, as well as intersectional challenges related to gender, age, and place of living.
Location: Hotel Hollywood, Sarajevo
Focal point: Nera Monir Divan – nera.monir-divan@undp.org
Youth Action: Security and Resilience in the Era of Organized Crime
Organised by UNODC
The event, supported by UNODC, will introduce students to the current state of organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s strategic response to it. It will also gather students’ views to inform future approaches, while promoting the UN “Youth, Peace and Security” Agenda and SDG Week, highlighting the link between sustainable development and the fight against organized crime.
Location: University of Mostar, Mostar
Focal point: Jasna Pekić – jasna.pekic@un.org
Climathon Sarajevo
Organised by Association Vidasus/UNDP
Climathon Sarajevo 2025 brings together young innovators, IT professionals, and entrepreneurs for an intense 24-hour challenge to design practical, market-ready green tech solutions. This year’s challenge focuses on reducing food and electronic waste and green tech. Through interactive workshops and expert mentorship, participants will refine their concepts, build prototypes, and pitch their ideas to investors and industry leaders for a chance to secure funding and ongoing support. Building on last year’s success – with over 100 participants, 40 ideas, and 10 finalists – Climathon 2025 aims to strengthen the green innovation ecosystem in BiH.
Location: Tershouse, Sarajevo
Focal point: Ena Porča – porcaena@gmail.com
Day 2 – Tuesday, 21 October
INNOVATE FOR GROWTH: Accelerating Sustainable & Inclusive Business in BiH (21 and 22 October)
Organised by UNDP BiH
This two-day conference will bring together stakeholders from the EU and Western Balkans to explore how innovation drives sustainable development and economic growth. It will showcase successful models, share best practices, and foster collaboration between policymakers, academia, industry, investors, and civil society.
Location: Hotel Hills, Sarajevo
Focal point: Lejla Ibranović Mulahasanović – lejla.ibranovic-mulahasanovic@undp.org
Showcase Session: “Care Economy in Action – Women’s Voices, Women’s Work, Women’s Rights”
Organised by UN Women with UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF (UNGEA portfolio)
Through two panel discussions, the session will showcase the care economy as a transformative solution for women’s employment, improved quality of life for vulnerable groups (older adults, persons with disabilities, low-income households), and stronger community solidarity.
Location: UN House, Sarajevo
Focal point: Lamija Krndžija – lamija.krndzija@unwomen.org
Workshop – Application of Industry 4.0 in SMEs
Organised by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republika Srpska/UNDP
The Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska will hold a one-day workshop on 21 October 2025 in Prijedor on “Application of Industry 4.0 in SMEs” aimed at strengthening companies’ knowledge in digital transformation and modern production processes.
Location: Prijedor
Focal point: Milan Lubura – milan.lubura@undp.org
Info Day for Companies – Green Chemistry and Circular Economy
Organised by UNDP / Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republika Srpska
One-day workshop gathering planners from 16 ministries in the RS Government, addressing implementation of the SDG Framework in BiH through the strategic planning and development management system in line with the new Republika Srpska legal framework. The event is expected to equip a critical number of development practitioners from the government ministries with the “know-how” required for successful implementation of the new legal framework through the preparation of strategic documents, with a special focus on their evaluation.
Location: Faculty of Technology, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka
Focal point: Milan Lubura – milan.lubura@undp.org
Panel Session: SDG Practices in the Business Sector – Analysis and Case Studies from BiH and Switzerland
Organised by project funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in BiH and implemented by the Institute for Development and European Integration (IREI) on behalf of the SDG Council of BiH
The event, organized within the framework of the project “SDG Partnership between BiH and Switzerland”, aims to connect the business sector in BiH with sustainable practices by presenting an analysis of SDG integration and inspiring examples from BiH and Swiss companies.
Location: Hotel Hills, Sarajevo
Focal point: Maida Gopo Hamzić – maida@irei.ba
Supporting Private Sector Engagement on Labour Mobility & Migration Management
Organised by IOM & Association of Italian Entrepreneurs in BiH
IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with the Association of Italian Enterprises in BiH, will advance safe and regular migration pathways and promote labour mobility as a driver of economic development.
Location: Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Sarajevo
Focal point: Edita Selimbegovic -eselimbegovic@iom.int
High Level Conference on Successes in the achievement of SDG 16 in FBiH – focusing on institutional and strategic response to organized crime and corruption
Organised by UNODC
The event will bring together high-level representatives from the political sphere, judiciary, prosecutorial and law enforcement institutions, academia, and the public.
Location: Mostar
Focal point: Jasna Pekic -jasna.pekic@un.org
Day 3 – Wednesday, 22 October
Capacity Building for SMEs in Federation BiH – Advancing Industry 4.0 and Sustainability Standards
Organised by UNDP / Chamber of Economy of FBiH
The training program was developed with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs, through an integrated approach that connects digital transformation and international corporate sustainability standards.
Location: Konjic
Focal point: Milan Lubura – milan.lubura@undp.org
The story about us – Imagine Migration
Organised by IOM No Nation Fashion & Partners
The activity will consist of two parts: an exhibition and a workshop. Both events will be held at the same venue, café-bar “Backyard Sarajevo” in the downtown Sarajevo, combining a two-day exhibition of 15 AI-enhanced photographs of migrants in No Nation Fashion garments with a workshop “The Story About Us.”
Location: Café-bar “Backyard Sarajevo”, Sarajevo
Focal point: Edita Selimbegovic -eselimbegovic@iom.int
Dialogue on SDG 5: Gender Equality as an Accelerator of the SDGs
Organisers: UN Women BiH with UN RCO & Gender Theme Group
The Dialogue on SDG 5 aims to mobilize sustained attention and investment in gender equality as a pivotal driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With under ten years left to meet the 2030 Agenda, progress on gender equality has stalled and, in many areas, reversed.
Location: UN House, Sarajevo
Focal point: Zvijezdana Marković – zvijezdana.markovic@unwomen.org
Local Community Forum on Peace Education
Organised by IOM & COI Step by Step
This community forum will bring together teachers, parents, and local authorities to create a platform for dialogue on peace while identifying shared challenges and developing practical solutions to promote peace values through existing educational frameworks.
Location: Goražde
Focal point: Edita Selimbegovic – eselimbegovic@iom.int
PreCOP Youth event
Organised by UNDP & UNICEF
The Youth Pre-COP Forum, jointly organized by UNDP and UNICEF, will bring together around 60 participants, young people from across BiH to engage in the global climate agenda ahead of COP.
Location: Youth House, Sarajevo
Focal point: Edita Selimbegovic – eselimbegovic@iom.int
Panel discussion on the returns of investments of family-friendly workplaces
Organised by UNFPA
The panel discussion will highlight how family-friendly workplace policies deliver both social and economic returns, positioning them as a cornerstone of business competitiveness and demographic resilience in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Location: Company LANACO Headquarters, Banja Luka
Focal point: Azra Dizdar Šarić – dizdarsaric@unfpa.org
Responsible and Sustainable Business: ESG Principles for Small and Medium Enterprises
Organised by UNDP / Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republika Srpska
The Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska is organizing a workshop on the application of ESG business principles and the UN Global Compact framework in small and medium-sized enterprises. The workshop is part of the Initiative “Enhancing the Application of Industry 4.0 and Introduction of International Sustainability Standards”, implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Location: Regional Chamber of Commerce, Doboj
Focal point: Milan Lubura – milan.lubura@undp.org
Day 4 – Thursday, 23 October
SDG Business Pioneers All-Stars Event
Organised by UNDP
The objectives of the event are to celebrate the contributions of the SDG Business Pioneers Award overall winners, showcase their continued impact since winning, strengthen the network among these leading companies, and engage a wider audience in recognizing the role of the private sector in sustainable development.
Location: UN House, Sarajevo
Focal point: Ema Mehić Omerbegović – ema.mehic-omerbegovic@undp.org
Local Communities for Sustainable Development
Organised by UN Women BiH / WPS Joint Programme / PBF BiH / UN RCO
The online advocacy session will bring together around 50 participants, including women peacebuilders, local officials, and CSOs, to present priorities from 17 community dialogues held across BiH earlier in the year. The session will conclude with the symbolic adoption of a collective advocacy statement, “Local Communities for Sustainable and Gender-Responsive Peace and Development”.
Location: Online
Focal point: Maja Tursnovic – maja.tursunovic@unwomen.org
Kick off EU4ENERGY
Organised by UNDP
The launch of the EU4Energy initiative will bring together institutions, the private sector, international partners, and academia to showcase the joint commitment of the European Union and UNDP to advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy transition.
Location: EU House, Sarajevo
Focal point: Arnesa Borčak – arnesa.borcak@undp.org
Workshop on youth empowerment priorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Organised by UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM
The workshop will serve as a platform for dialogue on youth empowerment priorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together ministries responsible for youth at different levels of governance, youth councils and networks, civil society organizations, and international development partners.
Location: Sarajevo
Focal point: Samir Šarenkapić – sarenkapic@unfpa.org
Quality in Focus: Standards of Quality and Evaluation in Early Childhood Education and Care
Organised by UNICEF
UNICEF is supporting the Agency for Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary Education to hold a discussion on improving ECEC quality (related to SDG 4). Objective of the event is to promote good practices in implementing the Standards of Quality of Work of Preschool Institutions and foster continued dialogue among key education stakeholders on advancing quality in ECEC in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The intended audience is educational authorities and practitioners.
Location: BiH Parliament building, Sarajevo
Focal point: Lamija Landžo – llandzo@unicef.org
International Scientific and Professional Conference Pedagogical Compass in the Media Labyrinth: Opportunities and Challenges
Organised by UNESCO
Marking the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Global Week, and within the MIL Days in BiH, the conference – to be held at the University of Sarajevo from 23 to 25 October 2025 – will bring together educators, researchers, regulators and content creators from the Western Balkans, with the aim of sharing experience and good practices from policy to classroom practice in media and information literacy.
Location: 23–25 October, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo
Focal point: Joshua Massarenti – j.massarenti@unesco.org
Roundtable on Social Protection for Persons Under International Protection
Organised by BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees & UNHCR
The one-day roundtable will be organized by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees (MHRR) and UNHCR, with the objective to explore key challenges and highlight good practices in the field of social protection for individuals under international protection in BiH. Participants will include representatives of social welfare centers from municipalities where persons under international protection reside, as well as relevant cantonal and entity-level institutions. Partner organizations of UNHCR – BHWI, Vaša Prava BiH, and CRS – will also take part in the discussion.
Location: Sarajevo
Focal point: Neven Crvenković – crvenkov@unhcr.org
Engaging Youth in Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives
Organised by IOM
This one-day simulation exercise, organized by IOM in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will engage youth in practical risk assessment using IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) methodology. Through interactive activities, participants will identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and propose ideas for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiatives. The exercise aims to strengthen local capacities and youth participation in community resilience planning, linking local action with the SDG Framework in BiH and the work of the SDG Council.
Location: Kiseljak
Focal point: Edita Selimbegovic -eselimbegovic@iom.int
Day 5 – Friday, 24 October
All the events organized on 24 October will have as their focus the celebration of the UN Day.
International Scientific and Professional Conference Pedagogical Compass in the Media Labyrinth: Opportunities and Challenges
Organised by UNESCO
Marking the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Global Week, and within the MIL Days in BiH, the conference – to be held at the University of Sarajevo from 23 to 25 October 2025 – will bring together educators, researchers, regulators and content creators from the Western Balkans, with the aim of sharing experience and good practices from policy to classroom practice in media and information literacy.
Location: 23–25 October, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo
Focal point: Joshua Massarenti – j.massarenti@unesco.org
Whole week events:
Online Campaign
Organised by UNDP
Throughout SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP will run an online campaign highlighting key national development trends through a series of infographics. The campaign will showcase progress and remaining challenges related to education, employment, innovation, environmental protection, and governance, aligned with the SDG Framework in BiH.
Online Campaign
Organised by ILO
The ILO will organize an online campaign framed around the SDGs. Each day during SDG Week, ILO BiH will publish a post or story showcasing results in BiH, aligned with relevant SDGs.
Exhibition on Public Health Achievements – SDG Week Showcase
Organised by WHO
During SDG Week, WHO in BiH will showcase the exhibition originally presented on World Health Day 2023, marking the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization. The exhibition highlights the achievements of WHO in advancing public health globally and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Location: UN House, Sarajevo
Exhibition “From Waste to Value”
Organised by Sparkasse Bank, Mozaik Foundation and ReUse
As part of SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exhibition “From Waste to Value” showcases how creativity and innovation can transform waste into valuable resources, promoting circular economy principles through the ReUseChain.ba platform. The exhibition, featuring works by award-winning biodesigner Maja Halilović and future Bosnian artists, highlights the potential of sustainable design to reshape our perception of waste and resources.
Location: Importanne Center, Sarajevo
