The atmosphere is lively and warm in Neum. With the sea stretching beyond the conference hall windows, participants exchange inside jokes, pose for selfies and greet one another like old friends.

Yet only months ago, many of them had never met.

Over four modules of the Council of Europe's Academy for Women Candidates, around 20 women from across Bosnia and Herzegovina have come together to strengthen their skills, confidence and resilience as they prepare for future political engagement.

During the final module, focused on recognising, reporting and responding to online harassment and digital violence targeting women in politics, three participants reflected on what the experience had meant to them. Jovana, Selma and Aida come from different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and different political backgrounds, yet what stands out most is the friendship and mutual respect they have developed.

Jovana admits that she arrived with certain preconceptions. “I realised that there are very good people in all political parties and that they should not be valued or judged based on which party they come from. I am truly grateful for this experience.”

Her fellow participants agree that one of the Academy's greatest strengths is bringing together young women from different political backgrounds and creating space for honest exchange. “Our struggle is more or less the same; only our methods, opportunities and access to solving problems differ,” says Selma.

While training opportunities for politicians do exist, few are specifically tailored to young women entering public life. For many participants, the Academy filled a gap that traditional political structures rarely address.

Aida says one of the bigger challenges is that young women often enter politics without the support structures needed to navigate its more difficult realities, including online abuse and harassment.

“When a young woman decides to enter politics, nobody gives her a manual.”

She believes that remaining true to the values that inspired someone to enter politics in the first place is what helps them overcome those obstacles and continue working for meaningful change.

Beyond building confidence, the Academy provided practical skills in political communication, electoral processes, leadership and media engagement. A dedicated module led by journalist and media expert Emela Burdžović helped participants strengthen their public speaking and media presence. “That was worth its weight in gold to us; very few people can even afford something like that”, notes Jovana.

The programme also placed a strong emphasis on peer learning and constructive feedback. For Selma, some of the most valuable lessons came not from trainers, but from the other women in the room. She says the opportunity to connect with women from different backgrounds helped her recognise her own shortcomings and improve her public speaking, while honest feedback from fellow participants showed her how to build on her strengths.

Aida believes this practical knowledge is difficult to acquire through traditional political work.

“What we had the opportunity to learn here simply cannot be learned in the kind of politics we experience every day. From public appearances to learning from highly respected professionals who have built personal brands based on competence and quality, this experience is truly invaluable.”

As the programme progressed, many participants began to see themselves differently - not simply as candidates on electoral lists, but as political actors capable of shaping their communities. “We are not just a 40% quota,” Aida says, adding that the participants are returning to their communities stronger, braver and more determined to make a difference in their political parties and local communities.

Jovana feels the same change in herself. “My confidence when it comes to politics is now at a much higher level. I have finally decided that politics is truly what I want to do.”

They conclude our conversation by returning once more to the shared message of networking and mutual support.

“Perhaps the most valuable idea behind this Academy is that we should never give up. It gives women the wind at their backs to face all the difficult and harsh sides of politics while never forgetting who we are and what we have brought into politics,” says Aida.

Selma agrees. “I realised that, regardless of whether I am elected or not, I will support women. Every woman on an electoral list can count on me.”

“I like to say that, if a woman puts her mind to it, she can move the world. So, let's use that in the best way possible” – concludes Jovana.

The Academy for Women Candidates was organised as part of the Council of Europe project “Supporting transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral practice and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, funded through voluntary contributions under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029.