Udruženje građana Aplauz

**Udruženje građana Aplauz** is a youth and cultural non-governmental organization from Bosnia and Herzegovina dedicated to empowering children and young people through arts-based education, creativity and active participation in community life. Founded with the vision of making culture and artistic expression accessible to all, Aplauz works at the intersection of education, youth development and creative industries. Our organization runs year-round drama, film and music programs for children and youth, providing safe and inspiring spaces where participants can develop artistic skills, confidence, communication abilities and critical thinking. Through non-formal education methods, we complement the formal school system and offer learning opportunities that are often missing in traditional curricula, especially in smaller communities. Aplauz has established strong cooperation with primary and secondary schools, cultural centers and local institutions. We regularly organize workshops, performances, screenings and educational events in partnership with schools, enabling students to engage with the arts as tools for learning, self-expression and social inclusion. Our programs have reached hundreds of children and young people, many of whom have participated in their first theater performance, short film or public cultural event through Aplauz. Beyond artistic training, our work addresses important social themes such as inclusion, human rights, digital literacy and youth participation. We create public performances, short films and community events that open dialogue on issues relevant to young people and the wider society, helping schools and communities use art as a platform for education and awareness. As a grassroots organization from the Western Balkans, Aplauz plays an important role in strengthening the local cultural scene, supporting young talents and building bridges between education, culture and community development. Our impact is visible not only in the creative outputs of our participants, but also in the growing interest of schools and institutions to integrate arts-based methods into their educational activities.