The YLS (Youth Leadership through Sport) program provided an opportunity for high school students from the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen their leadership skills through football and explore the possibilities of developing leadership skills and community engagement during their 12-day exchange.

Getting to know different cultures, exchanging experiences with peers during participation in the YLS program in Massachusetts, and practical training sessions were an inspiration for young Klara Pejdo to initiate such project in Mostar.

A member of the women’s football club (ŽFK) "Emina" and a student at the Secondary school for tourism and hospitality in Mostar, Klara Pejdo conceived and, together with the club, started the project "Heart of Mostar". As part of this project, football training sessions are held for students with developmental difficulties.

During their stay in our country, young people from America had the opportunity, among other things, to see a presentation by Ivana Vlaić, a senior associate for the development of women’s football in the FFBiH, titled "My Story". Amina Kurtagić-Kapetanović from FK "Respekt" Sarajevo showed "Football as a tool for social cohesion and integration".

The American high school students particularly highlighted their visit to the Fifth Gymnasium in Sarajevo and the interesting, direct interaction with peers from this school. Playing football with migrants as part of the program successfully led by FK "Respekt" was an exciting and new experience for them.

The "Youth Leadership through Sport" program has concluded and, judging by the participants’ reactions, it was very successful. Klara Pejdo has already taken on the role of a leader and, by her example, demonstrated how one can become an active member of society through sport and develop leadership through practical work in their communities.