As part of the youth gambling prevention program Who Actually Wins?, a training for representatives of primary schools was held in Zenica from January 13 to 15, 2026. The training was organized as a continuation of the successfully implemented program in the previous year by the Institute for Health and Food Safety, which confirmed both the need and the interest to expand the program to the primary school level. In addition to implementing the program, the Institute for Health and Food Safety also brought together the participants of this training. The three-day training aimed to strengthen participants’ competencies for preventive work with children and young people in the field of gambling and games of chance. Through both theoretical and practical components, participants acquired the knowledge and tools necessary for the high-quality implementation of workshops in the school setting.
Particular emphasis was placed on familiarization with the program manual, which provides a detailed framework for workshops tailored to work with young people, as well as on understanding the broader context of the gambling issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the training, topics such as behavioral addictions, the mechanisms and influence of the gambling industry, children’s and adolescents’ exposure to games of chance, and the potential consequences for mental health and everyday functioning were addressed. Participants had the opportunity to exchange practical experiences, discuss challenges in working with primary school–aged children, and practice working methods through interactive activities.
The Who Actually Wins? program has been implemented since the 2021/2022 school year in the Sarajevo Canton, and since the 2023/2024 school year in the Tuzla Canton. Although the program was originally intended for secondary school students, field experience has shown that it is also highly beneficial for students in the final grades of primary school.
The program’s objectives include increasing children’s and young people’s knowledge about gambling, developing socio-emotional skills, strengthening critical thinking, and encouraging responsible behavior. The intensive three-day training further empowered primary school representatives in Zenica to carry out high-quality and sustainable preventive work with students.
