Trieste, November 21, 2025.
While the global labor market is rapidly changing and placing ever greater demands on young generations, leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina are not waiting – they are actively building a bridge between education and entrepreneurship. Just today, in Trieste, the Executive Director of Genesis Project, Dijana Pejić, represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the prestigious 2nd Regional UNICEF – CEI Workshop on UPSHIFT, carrying a strong message about the transformation of education and youth empowerment.
We didn’t just attend – we were among the key speakers, sharing our success story.
Proven Impact from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Participation in the panel dedicated to introducing UPSHIFT into classrooms and gathering evidence of its impact was a recognition of our pioneering work. Dijana Pejić presented the “UPSHIFT implementation model in schools, evidence of impact, and plans for scaling” – the result of many years of dedicated work with partners in BiH. We implement UPSHIFT in a long-standing partnership with UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a key factor in the success and sustainability of this model.
The key highlights of the presentation were:
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Proven Program Impact UPSHIFT in BiH was not just implemented – a comprehensive evidence framework was developed, confirming that the program accelerates learning and encourages the development of key 21st-century skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork among adolescents.
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Scaling at the National Level Our work to date has laid solid foundations for the strategic expansion of UPSHIFT in BiH. Scaling plans are based on measurable results, ensuring that this model becomes a sustainable and systemic solution in formal education.
Through UPSHIFT – UNICEF’s global innovative initiative – we are equipping young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina with skills that enable them to transition from passive observers to active entrepreneurs and innovators.
The appearance in Trieste once again confirms that BiH is becoming a regional leader and knowledge hub when it comes to the successful application of 21st-century skills in the education system. Dijana Pejić and the Genesis Project team are not only sharing their experience but are actively building a community of practice with other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, contributing to the development of regional scaling models.
The Future is in AI Tools and the Blended Delivery Approach
The conference was focused on the integration of digital solutions and the scaling of the UPSHIFT model, with a special emphasis on the potential of customized AI tools. Thinking about the blended delivery approach – a combination of digital and experiential learning – means facing today’s challenges while preparing for a future where AI literacy becomes the foundation of every profession.
This visit to Trieste is a strategic step in positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a key player in shaping regional education policy. Dijana Pejić’s participation once again confirms that true innovation happens where there is the courage to change traditional systems.
As Genesis Project, we remain deeply committed to our mission: transforming education through innovation. We believe that young people have incredible potential to respond to the biggest challenges in their communities. Our job is to give them the right tool – and UPSHIFT is precisely that tool.
The future of our youth is in good hands – and those hands are today in the heart of Europe, proudly representing the success of Bosnia and Herzegovina.