Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton

Overview

The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton (Bosnian: Ministarstvo za obrazovanje, nauku i mlade Kantona Sarajevo) is the executive authority of the Sarajevo Canton government responsible for administering education policy in pre‑university and higher education, advancing scientific research and coordinating youth affairs within the canton. Established in 2002, it functions under laws enacted by the Cantonal Assembly and plays a central role in higher education governance, accreditation, youth empowerment and research funding. According to uniRank, the ministry is recognised for its pivotal role in ensuring a quality and accessible education system throughout Sarajevo Canton.

History and Legal Framework

The ministry was created as part of post‑Dayton decentralisation when Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution delegated education and science competencies to the ten cantons of the Federation. In Sarajevo Canton, the Cantonal Assembly adopted laws on higher education, science and youth that define the remit of the ministry. Key legal instruments include the Cantonal Law on Higher Education and associated accreditation and quality assurance bylaws, integrating conformant provisions with the Bologna Process and federal-level standards. The ministry also devised by‑laws such as rules on accreditation, title conferral and registers of student and youth organisations, fully aligned with state‑level higher education legislation.

Mission, Vision and Objectives role in higher education

The ministry’s mission is to support inclusive, accountable and internationally recognised education for all students of Sarajevo Canton, while promoting research excellence and youth participation in socio‑economic development. Its vision emphasises aligning the canton’s higher education institutions with European Higher Education Area norms, fostering demand‑driven study programmes and nurturing innovation ecosystems. Core objectives include:

• Implementing consistent academic standards across universities;
• Supporting curricula aligned with labour market and research priorities;
• Encouraging scientific capacity and R&D collaboration;
• Facilitating equitable access for students with disabilities and under‑represented backgrounds.

Governance, Structure and Independence

Leadership is provided by the Minister, appointed by the Sarajevo Cantonal Assembly upon government nomination. The Minister is supported by a Secretariat and several expert advisers. Internally, the ministry is divided into multiple sectors:

1. Sektor za visoko obrazovanje – handles policy, licensing and oversight of universities and study programmes;
2. Sektor za nauku – responsible for scientific strategy, R&D financing and maintaining the Canton’s Scientific Registry;
3. Sektor za mlade – develops youth policy, organises public consultations and coordinates youth‑focused funding;
4. Sektor za finansijsko‑računovodstvene poslove – manages budgeting and finance reporting for education‑science programmes.

Although part of the Cantonal Government, the ministry enjoys operational autonomy in areas prescribed by law, such as accreditation decisions and financial calls, enabling it to implement tailored higher education and research policies.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation role in higher education

The ministry is authorised to accredit and licence higher education institutions and programmes within the canton. It selects domestic and international experts to conduct institutional and programme evaluations, in collaboration with the state-level Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance. Decisions on institutional accreditation—such as the re‑accreditation of the University of Sarajevo in September 2019 and the International University of Sarajevo in 2014—are issued by the ministry following recommendation. It also processes requests for new study programmes (e.g. English Language & Literature and Psychology at IUS) and monitors compliance via annual reporting and inspections under federal law.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The ministry actively partners with international and regional agencies to support education reform and youth development:

• GIZ (German International Cooperation) – collaboration on dual vocational education and technical training projects;
• OSCE Mission to BiH – signed a memorandum on inclusive, outcome‑based curricula;
• Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation – participation in vocational education conferences in 2025;
• Institute for Youth Development KULT – cooperation on youth strategy drafting, volunteering accreditation and implementational support;
• Regional youth platforms such as RYCO and ERI‑SEE network, encouraging cross‑border youth and academic initiatives.

Current or Future Impact on higher education

In recent years the ministry has taken significant steps to support higher education quality and accessibility:

• It allocated nearly half a million BAM in 2019 to co‑finance research and artistic projects across public and private universities;
• Launched a teacher scholarship programme in 2022/23 with a 200 000 KM fund to incentivise enrolments in deficitary subject areas;
• Formalised an agreement in 2024 with the University of Sarajevo to improve services for students with disabilities and develop assistive technology infrastructure;
• Developed the “Youth Strategy 2024–2030” in consultation with academic institutions and NGOs, with public hearings throughout June 2025;
• Introduced an e‑registry of youth organisations and associations to regularise youth sector funding and participation;
• Engaged in drafting a Cantonal Innovation Act supported by UNDP, aimed at legalising and institutionalising innovation in higher ed. and research settings.

These measures are expected to bolster research productivity, encourage forward-looking curricula and support inclusive transitions from academia to the regional labour market.

Summary

The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton is the key regional authority overseeing higher education, scientific research, youth policy and financing in Sarajevo Canton. Founded in 2002 and operating within a legally robust cantonal framework, it administers accreditation, regulates academic standards and cooperates with national and international partners. Its structure divides responsibilities among dedicated sectors, offering independent decision‑making in education and science policy. Recent innovations—including research co‑financing, inclusive access, youth engagement and legal reform efforts—demonstrate a proactive drive to localise global education standards and future‑proof Sarajevo Canton’s academic and social infrastructure.

FAQs

• What does the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton do?
  It develops higher education, science and youth policy, issues accreditation decisions, administers research funding and youth programmes and oversees regional education quality and inclusivity.
• When was the ministry created?
  It was established in 2002 under the decentralised constitutional system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when cantons assumed full responsibility for educational governance.
• Does the ministry accredit universities?
  Yes, it authorises institutional and programme accreditation within Sarajevo Canton based on expert evaluation and recommendations from the national higher education quality agency.
• Who appoints the minister?
  The Minister is nominated by the Cantonal Government and formally appointed by the Sarajevo Cantonal Assembly. The minister reports directly to the Cantonal Prime Minister and is supported by internal sectors.
• How does the ministry support scientific research?
  It issues annual calls for co‑funding research and artistic projects, manages the Canton’s scientific registry and holds collaborative workshops to build research capacity.
• What is the Youth Strategy 2024‑2030?
  A policy framework co‑developed with the Institute for Youth Development KULT and academic institutions, now in the public consultation phase (June 2025), aiming to boost youth engagement, entrepreneurship, civic participation and education access until 2030.
• How can universities and youth organisations cooperate with the ministry?
  Universities can propose new programmes or apply to funding calls; youth organisations can register in the ministry’s e‑registry, apply for public grants and be involved in consultative strategy processes.

Organization Name

Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Sarajevo Canton
Ministarstvo za obrazovanje, nauku i mlade Kantona Sarajevo

Acronym

MONKS

Year of Establishment

2002

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

Local or Regional

Recognized by

Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Reisa Džemaludina Čauševića br.
Sarajevo
71000 Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone

+387 (33) 562 128

Fax

+387 (33) 562 218

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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