Preventeen is a substance use prevention program aimed at training individuals who work with children and youth during their leisure time to carry out activities based on scientifically proven evidence of effectiveness, with the goal of creating a higher quality, safer, and healthier environment for their growth and development.

Although various actors in the fields of sports, culture, education, and youth work contribute daily to the well-being of children, their role in addiction prevention is often overlooked. Despite good intentions, people working with young individuals often lack access to expert knowledge in the field of substance use prevention. This can lead to the use of ineffective or even harmful methods. Some studies even show that harmful habits can develop during participation in formally organized activities if prevention is not professionally guided. Preventeen recognizes their crucial role and provides them with the knowledge and tools to make their efforts more effective and safer for the children and youth they work with.

Who are the target groups?
Preventeen is intended for individuals who work with youth within:
– sports clubs and schools,
– language, technical, and arts courses,
– cultural and artistic associations,
– volunteer and youth organizations,
– religious communities and youth groups,
– other initiatives that engage young people during their leisure time.

What does Preventeen offer?
1. Training and Capacity Building: Organization representatives undergo training on science-based standards for prevention and health promotion. After completing the training, they are required to integrate these standards into their internal policies and daily practices.
2. Practical Implementation: The prevention standards are adapted to fit the real working context of the organizations, so they serve as a useful addition to existing activities rather than a burden.
3. Monitoring and Support: Participants attend regular meetings, exchange experiences, and continuously work on improving the quality of their work in their communities.
4. Active Youth Involvement: Young people also receive training on addiction prevention and health promotion and actively participate in designing and implementing activities focused on protecting their own health.
One such activity is City Rally, a creative “treasure hunt” where youth explore their communities’ capacities for healthy development using innovative and fun methods.

Preventeen is implemented in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Science of Bosnia and Herzegovina.