The products of Academy of political activism

The second module of the Political Activism Academy, held from 10 to 12 December 2025, brought together women and LGBTI+ individuals from various local communities in Tuzla Canton with the aim of further strengthening their capacities for political engagement, advocacy, and active participation in public life. While the first module of the Academy focused on introducing the basics of political literacy and activism, the second module marked a clear shift toward practical knowledge and concrete tools that participants can apply in their everyday work within their communities.

From the very beginning, the Academy was conceived as a space for learning, but also as a space for exchanging experiences, mutual support, and empowerment. This sense of togetherness and trust was strongly present throughout the second module as well, as confirmed by the participants themselves, who experienced the Academy not merely as an educational program, but as a process of personal and collective transformation.

Safety in Political Activism: Speaking About What Is Often Left Unsaid

One of the central themes of the second module was safety in political activism, a lecture and workshop led by Meliha Sendić. The topic of safety resonated particularly strongly with participants, as the Academy was held at a time when the public was shaken by a femicide in Mostar—a case that once again brutally exposed the reality of violence against women and institutional failures in their protection.

In this context, discussions about safety did not remain at a theoretical level. Participants openly spoke about their own fears, experiences, and the risks faced by women who engage publicly, especially in smaller communities. The focus was placed on the importance of risk recognition, building support networks, and developing personal safety plans.

One of the participants, Dženana, emphasized that this topic left the deepest impression on her:

“What affected me the most was the topic of safety and security—how to take care of ourselves and others in difficult circumstances. It meant a lot to me to raise awareness about protecting women in cases of domestic violence and to feel that we are never alone in life.”

Through practical exercises, participants systematically worked on developing their own safety plans for the first time. Jasmina noted that this segment of the Academy gave her additional confidence and clarity:

“The topics related to safety in political activism and the development of personal safety plans were particularly important to me, and I consider them extremely relevant in today’s social context.”

For many participants, this represented an important step forward—an acknowledgment that political activism, especially for women and LGBTI+ persons, carries specific risks, but also that there are tools and strategies to mitigate those risks.

Gender Equality in Politics: From Concept to Everyday Practice

The topic of gender equality in politics, led by Duška Andrić, opened space for deeper reflection on how gender stereotypes, language, and social norms shape the political and public sphere. Through concrete examples from everyday life, participants became aware of how deeply rooted and often normalized gender inequalities are.

Discussions about language, naming professions, and social expectations provided an opportunity to examine broader issues of discrimination and inequality from a new perspective. Special emphasis was also placed on understanding homophobia and transphobia as social phenomena that are often reduced to simplified and distorted narratives.

For Adnana, the Academy represented an opportunity to systematize knowledge she had intuitively felt but had not previously had the chance to formally acquire:

“At the Academy, I gained valuable knowledge about women’s rights, their protection, and mechanisms for combating discrimination. A particular focus was placed on empowering women to recognize their rights and actively engage in addressing issues in their communities.”

She further emphasized that through the workshops she developed skills in public advocacy, critical thinking, and teamwork, which she sees as key competencies for any woman who wishes to be politically active.

Law and Politics: Understanding the System as a Prerequisite for Change

The lecture “Law and Politics,” led by Bojana Jovanović, enabled participants to gain a clearer understanding of how the legislative system, institutions, and decision-making processes function. For many, this was the first time that the path of an initiative—from identifying a problem to addressing competent institutions—was explained in an accessible and practical manner.

Through exercises, participants learned how to articulate problems from their local communities and turn them into concrete proposals. Zlata highlighted this aspect of the Academy in her reflection:

“We connected through the shortcomings in the local communities we come from and learned how to submit initiatives to address them.”

For her, as well as for other participants, the Academy was the first space in which they realized that political engagement is not reserved exclusively for party structures, but that citizens also have a legitimate right to demand accountability and change.

Media Campaigns: Turning a Voice into a Message

The workshop “How to Create a Media Campaign,” led by Admir Adilović, built on previous topics and offered participants concrete tools for public communication. The focus was on shaping messages, identifying target audiences, and using media as a means of advocacy.

For many participants, this was a key moment in which they connected all elements of the Academy—safety, gender equality, law, and institutions—into a single framework with the potential to generate real change. Nedžada, who participated in the first module, emphasized that the Academy was highly motivating:

“Raising awareness about the role of women in the political system holds a special place for me. The exchange of experiences and practical knowledge, as well as exercises that support theory, were extremely important.”

Community Experience and a Sense of Belonging

Almost all participants highlighted the atmosphere of mutual support, respect, and belonging that accompanied the Academy. Nihada described her experience simply, yet powerfully:

“For the first time, I gained more knowledge on various topics while socializing with women who have more experience. The lectures opened up broader perspectives for me.”

Zlata expressed a similar sentiment, particularly emphasizing the organization and dedication of the team:

“It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of this phenomenal community. I sincerely hope for continued cooperation and for sharing the knowledge gained with others.”

For many participants, the Academy was the first space where they felt genuinely accepted, heard, and encouraged to publicly speak about their experiences and ideas.

Knowledge That Does Not Stay in the Room

One of the key outcomes of the second module of the Academy is the fact that the knowledge gained did not remain confined to the educational setting. Jasmina noted that she has already begun applying what she learned in her work:

“I have already started applying the knowledge gained during the Academy in my work with colleagues and association members, through conversations, advice, and the exchange of experiences.”

Other participants share similar experiences, viewing the Academy as a beginning rather than an end of their political and social engagement.

Conclusion: The Academy as a Process, Not an Event

The second module of the Political Activism Academy once again confirmed that empowering women and LGBTI+ persons requires a continuous, carefully designed process that combines knowledge, practice, and support. Through topics of safety, gender equality, law, and public communication, participants gained tools that enable them to engage more actively and safely in the political and social life of their communities.

As they themselves emphasized, the Academy provided something that is often missing—a sense that they are not alone, that they have a community, and that they have the right to be loud, visible, and politically active. This is precisely where the true outcomes of the Political Activism Academy lie: in knowledge that translates into action, in initiatives yet to come, and in women and LGBTI+ persons who have decided that change begins the moment they dare to participate.

This activity was supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives through the project “Building Political Power in the Margins: Strengthening Civic Participation of Rural Women and LGBTI+ People in Tuzla Canton through Education, Skills Training, and Community-Based Advocacy.” We are grateful to Canada for its contribution to this project through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.