From October 26 to 29, 2025, organized by DVV International – Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, a delegation from the Council for Adult Education of Sarajevo Canton visited the Federal State of Hesse (Germany), where they held meetings and visited the Association of Adult Education Providers of the Federal State of Hesse (Hessischer Volkshochschulverband) and the Adult Education Center – Volkshochschule Frankfurt am Main.
The visit aimed to exchange experiences, transfer knowledge, and explore models that connect adult education, the labor market, and local communities. During the stay, participants became acquainted with the functioning of the regional adult education system, funding models, the role of local and regional partnerships, and instruments for ensuring the quality and accessibility of adult education offerings. Representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the work of the Council for Adult Education of Sarajevo Canton, which will be a key actor in the development of the adult education system in Sarajevo Canton. Ideas were exchanged regarding possibilities for future cooperation and projects that could contribute to the development of a sustainable adult education system in Sarajevo Canton, aligned with European standards and practices.
The Director of DVV International – Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms. Dženita Džano, emphasized the importance of this visit with the following words:
“This study visit was of great significance as it provided direct insight into the functioning of one of the most successful adult education systems in Europe. The exchange of experiences with partners from Hesse gave Council members and representatives of the Chamber concrete ideas on how to further develop the adult education system in Sarajevo Canton. I believe that the experiences and contacts gained will contribute to stronger connections between educational institutions, the economy, and local communities, and lay the foundation for future joint initiatives.”
The delegation consisted of Mr. Muamer Mahmutović, President of the Chamber of Commerce, the Director of the Chamber’s Center for Education and IT Services, and Secretary of the Council for Adult Education, Ms. Lejla Halkić, President of the Council for Adult Education, Mr. Zlatan Saračević, Coordinator of the Department for Labor Market Mediation and Education – Business Development Sector of the Sarajevo Regional Development Agency, and the Director of DVV International – Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms. Dženita Džano.
The participants concluded that the experiences from Hesse are valuable for further planning of measures, program development, and strengthening the legislative framework in the field of adult education in Sarajevo Canton. This form of cooperation was recognized as an example of good practice, and it was concluded that, through joint synergy and professional collaboration, the development of a strategic document titled the “Sarajevo Model” for adult education in Sarajevo Canton should begin. This would also serve as a basis for securing additional resources to strengthen the Council’s work, with a particular focus on EU funds, thereby contributing to the improvement of the adult education system.