At the Future Leaders Summit 2024, the "Made in Bosnia & Herzegovina" panel brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives whose work is transforming Bosnia and Herzegovina’s narrative on the global stage. This wasn’t just a celebration of success—it was an exploration of how Bosnia’s unique qualities and its people are shaping industries, building brands, and inspiring future generations.

Key Themes and Insights from the Panel

1. Bringing Knowledge Back Home

Anela shared her perspective on leaving Bosnia to gain international experience:
"Leaving is necessary to learn, grow, and bring knowledge back to share with others."

Nemanja echoed this, emphasizing the importance of staying attuned to global trends while leveraging local talent:
"If you follow global trends, you’ll see how talented and smart local people are. We can create amazing products and contribute to the global market."

2. Storytelling as the Heart of Branding

Leyla Mattison highlighted that branding isn’t just about products—it’s about the stories we tell. She compared Bosnia’s journey to that of a young brand, emphasizing the need to shape perceptions positively:
"Bosnia is like a young brand—only 30 years old. It will grow by learning branding lessons, just like any successful company."

She added that companies in Bosnia should proudly advertise their origins, showcasing high-quality Bosnian products—such as solid wood furniture for Scandinavian markets—to build a stronger narrative:
"If every great brand from Bosnia told the world it was from Bosnia, it would create a positive cycle for the country’s future."

3. Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Eric Nelson addressed the audience, reminding them that success often stems from resilience:
"This panel isn’t just about success—it’s about the experience of failure and what you learn from it."

Leyla underscored this by comparing Bosnia’s imperfections to those of other nations:
"America and France aren’t perfect, either. Every country has challenges. Bosnia’s challenge is to shape its narrative, and that starts with how we talk about it."

4. Teamwork and Collaboration

The speakers agreed that collaboration and community are essential for progress. Nemanja admitted:
"My biggest challenge is marketing, but the solution lies in bonding and working together as a team."

Leyla reinforced this by pointing out that brands and countries alike thrive when their people come together to build a shared vision.

5. Crafting a Global Perception

The panel concluded with a shared mission: to craft a more positive and accurate global perception of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Leyla put it:
"Perception is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. We have to shape the narrative about Bosnia. Branding is part of that process."

A Vision for the Future

This panel proved that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s potential lies not only in its people’s talent but in their ability to craft a compelling story that resonates globally. By embracing collaboration, following global trends, and proudly showcasing local success, Bosnia can continue to rise as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and creativity.

We are proud to acknowledge that many speakers, panelists, and workshop facilitators at this year's Future Leaders Summit include esteemed members of the Diaspora Business Advisory Council, such as Namik Hrle, Sara Vanovac, Eddie Custovic, Haris Piplas, and Leyla Matisson. DiaBAC unites diaspora leaders working to create social and economic change in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mission we support through our joint initiatives.

This panel is supported by the U.S. Government through the USAID Diaspora Invest Project. Together, we have strengthened connections through initiatives like the Berlin Diaspora Outreach Conference and continue to engage the diaspora through the DiaLab Social Impact Network.

These stories show that world-class achievements can begin right here in BiH.

DiaLab: Made in BiH – Homegrown Brilliance with Global Impact