Nikola Bozanovic
Pronouns: He/Him
Organisations: Club for Youth Empowerment (KOM 018); Hate Fighters Network (HFN); National Youth Council of Serbia; ALEPH Group
Country of origin: Serbia
Profile
Nikola Bozanovic is a trainer for human rights and a youth worker from Serbia. He started his professional career at the Club for Youth Empowerment (KOM 018), an organisation which he joined in 2012. However, his peacebuilding work began much earlier in 2003 when he began volunteering at the age of seven. In 2012, Nikola received an invitation to participate in the KOM 018 peacebuilding training with participants from post-conflict countries. He stayed in the organisation for the next ten years. The organisation has more than 100 volunteers and aims to combat discrimination, hate speech and gender-based violence. It promotes gender equality and positive social values and empowers youth to take an active role in society. In addition to implementing various Erasmus+ projects in capacity building, KOM 018 organises an annual Dodji na Amfi (Come to Amfi) street hip-hop festival and provides free legal aid to the Roma community. Furthermore, at least twice a month, Nikola provides the youth with an opportunity to travel. He is currently the executive director in ALEPH Group (Group for Activism, Leadership, Education, Public advocacy and Promotion of public health) – an NGO he founded with his friends. Additionally, he earned his Law degree (LLM) in January 2024 from the Faculty of Law at the University of Niš, Serbia.
Story
Nikola Bozanovic is a Serbian trainer for human rights and youth empowerment. His peacebuilding journey started in 2003 and is marked by a commitment to fostering positive change and promoting inclusivity in his homeland and beyond. He began with a focus on education and workshops, where he gained skills in negotiations, teamwork and peer education. His early dedication led to a prominent position in high school as the President of Student Parliament, a role he held for three years. This led to an invitation to the World Student Parliament meeting in Rome in 2004. Another crucial moment in Nikola’s journey occurred in 2012 when he was chosen to participate in a significant peacebuilding training initiative. This programme brought together participants from countries in historical conflicts (including Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Turkey). This experience sparked his commitment to fostering understanding and reconciliation among divided communities.
His dedication to youth empowerment and social justice continued to evolve as he joined forces with the Club for Youth Empowerment 018. There he fought against discrimination, hate speech and gender-based violence while promoting social inclusion and gender equality through innovative, informal education methods. A central belief in his mission was for communities to actively engage with each other instead of just coexisting. He said, ‘Don’t live next to each other but with each other.’ In 2015 Nikola assumed the presidency of the Hate Fighters Network (HFN). The HFN unites over 10 European countries in the battle against hate speech and the protection and promotion of human rights. At the heart of his activism is his work with the National Youth Council of Serbia, a pivotal organisation working to promote youth interests. Acting as a bridge between the government and civil society, it plays a vital role in shaping youth policies and advocating for the welfare of young people.
Over the years, the Club for Youth Empowerment 018 has orchestrated various initiatives, from street art festivals to youth safety programs and capacity-building projects. Backed up by international organisations such as the OSCE and GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationalle Zusammenarbeit), Erasmus+ programme and Council of Europe, Nikola and his team have achieved progress in empowering youth and promoting social inclusion. However, they have also encountered challenges, particularly in securing funding and maintaining genuine cooperation with partners. He said though, that their commitment to their mission keeps them pushing forward. In September 2022, Nikola stopped working at KOM 018 and HFN, redirecting his attention towards his role at ALEPH, while completing his master’s degree in Law.
For Nikola, peace is not the mere absence of conflict, but a harmonious living rooted in tolerance, mutual understanding and acceptance. He said he firmly believes that recognising the inherent goodness in people is the foundation of meaningful progress. He provides the following advice to young and aspiring peacebuilders: know your potential, understand the possibilities within your local community, and never turn a blind eye to violence.
Published in 2025