Futures Leaders Summit 2025 Concludes: A Decade of Impact, A Future of Possibilities
The Futures Leaders Summit (FLS), the flagship event of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Futures Foundation (BHFF), successfully concluded in Sarajevo, once again reaffirming its role as the leading platform connecting young talent from Bosnia and Herzegovina with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Held from 19–21 December 2025 at Hotel Hills in Sarajevo, FLS 2025 brought together 730 participants, 25 speakers, and representatives from academia, industry, government, and civil society. This year’s Summit was particularly significant as it marked ten years of BHFF’s work dedicated to empowering young people through education, science, technology, and leadership.
Why the Futures Leaders Summit Exists
Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in talent and ambition, yet many young professionals still lack access to global networks, mentorship, and real career pathways. The Futures Leaders Summit was created to bridge that gap.
By connecting students and early-career professionals with Bosnians and international experts who are shaping industries worldwide, FLS creates tangible opportunities for learning, collaboration, and long-term impact—both locally and internationally. In 2024 alone, more than 500 participants took part in the Summit, with over 250 supported through grants, ensuring that financial barriers do not limit access to knowledge and opportunity.
At its core, FLS is driven by a shared belief: the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the hands of those who believe in its potential—whether they live at home or abroad.
2025 Theme: A Decade of Impact, A Future of Possibilities
The 2025 edition of the Summit was not only a celebration of past achievements, but a clear call to action.
Over the past ten years, BHFF has:
Welcomed 3,400+ participants to its conferences,
Hosted 250+ speakers and workshop facilitators, and
Awarded 1,300+ participation grants, making high-quality education and global perspectives accessible to students across the country.
The impact of this investment is already visible in startups, research projects, businesses, and institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina. FLS 2025 built on this momentum by bringing together world-class talent to inspire the next generation and set ambitious goals for the decade ahead.
Why the Summit Is Held in English
The Futures Leaders Summit is conducted in English to position Bosnia and Herzegovina within a global professional and academic context. Many of our speakers—Bosnians who have built careers at leading international institutions—share their expertise primarily in English.
For participants, the Summit provides an opportunity to strengthen language skills essential for global careers. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, it amplifies local success stories and opens doors to international collaboration, visibility, and investment.
Program Tracks: Ideas Shaping Tomorrow
FLS 2025 featured three thematic tracks, each addressing critical challenges and opportunities for the future:
Longevity Through Science & Engineering
Exploring how technology, engineering, and science are transforming healthcare—from digital patient systems and advanced prosthetics to cutting-edge longevity research. Speakers included Amel Havkić, Jasmin Nuhić, and Slaven Šteković.
Professional Excellence
Focused on leadership, innovation, and mastery across science, technology, and engineering. This track highlighted how curiosity, expertise, and responsibility define excellence in both academia and industry. Speakers included Željka Hassler, Ognjen Vlačina, and Džemila Šero.
Next-Gen Worldbuilders
A forward-looking track showcasing technologies once considered science fiction: lunar construction, neuromorphic computer chips, and advanced photonics. Speakers included Nerma Čaluk, Adnan Mehonić, and Samel Arslanagić.
Beyond the Stage: Practical Engagement and Innovation
In addition to keynote talks and panels, FLS 2025 emphasized hands-on learning and real-world exposure. Participants took part in company visits and workshops at organizations such as Bosnalijek, HTEC, Zira, Dizart Robotics Center, and the Faculty of Science, gaining direct insight into professional environments.
The Expo Zone featured 11 startups, enabling participants to interact with founders working in AI, healthcare, education, sustainability, software development, and social innovation. The Summit also showcased student research and innovation posters, highlighting projects spanning medicine, engineering, software development, and social sciences.
Speakers, Panels, and Collective Dialogue
The Summit hosted 25 speakers from leading global institutions, including university rectors, researchers, entrepreneurs, executives, and National Geographic scientists. Two panel discussions focused on:
Social change and the power of collective action, and
Leadership and youth activism in collaboration with local governments.
These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration, trust, and long-term vision in driving sustainable change.
A Community-Driven Impact
FLS 2025 welcomed participants from diverse backgrounds: students, researchers, professionals, public-sector representatives, diaspora members, and civil society organizations. Through a comprehensive grant program and broad partner support, the Summit ensured inclusivity while maintaining a high standard of content and engagement.
Looking Ahead
Futures Leaders Summit 2025 concluded with a clear message: the next decade belongs to those ready to lead with knowledge, integrity, and ambition.
As BH Futures Foundation enters its second decade, the Summit remains a cornerstone of its mission—to connect talent, inspire leadership, and build a future where young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not just participants in global progress, but its drivers.
Organizing Team
The successful delivery of Futures Leaders Summit 2025 was made possible by a dedicated organizing team whose commitment, coordination, and professionalism ensured a high-quality experience for all participants:
Haris Selmanović
Edhem Čustović
Nihad Ferhatović
Samir Mahmić
Usame Čolaković
Melvisa Kovač
Adisa Jahić
Emina Očuz
Kajs Hadžić
Nail Bobić
Una Ukejnović
Dino Burić
Adnan Ferhatović
The future is not something we wait for.
It is something we build—together.