YUA's guides the realization of an Art house cinema in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, completely run by students. Students form the management of the cinema and are responsible for the day to day business. A board  of professional experts supervise and support the students in their activities. Kriterion Sarajevo will focus on jobs for students, but a university degree is not an absolute precondition to work in Kriterion. Kriterion will also offer jobs to young and ambitious people, who are not at university, but share the desire to work for a better future for themselves and for cinema in Bosnia.

Goals

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was once the cultural heart of the Balkans. The cultural sector has suffered immensely from the Bosnian War (1992-1995). A group of ambitious and enthusiastic young inhabitants of Sarajevo took action. In 2006 they founded Foundation Kriterion Sarajevo, a cultural movement that doesn’t only bring art house cinema back in town, but also creates part time jobs for students. More than a decade after the war, ethnic and religious mistrust are still very present in society. By offering an independent, cultural and a-political stage Kriterion stimulates an inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue. Kritirion contributes to a peaceful and open society, through their open approach to networking, their out reach through arts and through organising debates and parties. A constant interaction between cultural entertainment and serious topics illustrates the power of Kriterion. Kriterion will screen art house movies throughout the year. On a regular basis visitors can see regional and non-regional movies. Apart from screening movies, Kriterion is a place where other art forms are exhibited as well. The students run the place, so they decide the program. The regular program can be complemented with film premiere parties, theme (film) nights, symposia and workshops. The students can organize festivals and competitions. Where the one week a 'sing along Sound of Music' takes place, during the next week's symposia political themes will not be shunned.

About Kriterion Sarajevo

In close cooperation with the Dutch YUA Foundation – Kriterion Sarajevo is now realizing its own cultural space by setting up a cinema for art house and independent films in the centre of Sarajevo. Kriterion Sarajevo is a not for profir organization. Revenues from the cinema will be reinvested in the foundation and cinema to create student employment. Kriterion has the potential to not only become a healthy enterprise, but also to provide a place where new ideas can be exchanged and developed.  Art house cinema Kriterion Sarajevo will be entirely run by students - under the supervision of a board of professional experts – giving them the opportunity to gain work experience and earn their own money. Kriterion Sarajevo will be a self sustainable initiative that provides students with the possibility to work and be able to cover their own study costs. It will be self-sufficient through the incomes of the bar, ticket sales and film hall rentals, and reinvests its profit into the cinema.

Kriterion will work with a rotating employment system. Because Kriterion will only provide in temporary part time employment, new students will come and go. After finishing their studies, students will have to make room for a new generation of students. Because of this continuous refreshment of students, Kriterion will naturally follow the developments and changes in society and will continue to surprise its audience. The students manage the cinema office, the shifts behind the bar and the ticket counter. They work as film projectionist, program the films themselves and organize their own events. The project coordinator safeguards the principles of Kriterion and a board of professionals will supervise and support the students in running the business. Furthermore, a daily manager will operate as supervisor of the bar and cinema and the day-to-day business, but will not be involved in the programming.

Kriterion Sarajevo will be working together with Kriterion in Amsterdam. Through this cooperation it will be possible to exchange ideas and projects between the two capitals. Groups of students will be exchanged to work in each others enterprises by which they learn from each others experiences. This way both cultures get the chance to get acquainted with each other. Besides that, joint events can be organized. The opening of Kriterion Sarajevo can be celebrated in Amsterdam, a symposium can be organized with a direct video link between both cities, and while Sarajevo hosts a Dutch delight party, the Balkans will be celebrated in Amsterdam.

Impact on art and culture

Kriterion will be a politically independent meeting place that will cut through ethnic and religious boundaries. The ethnic and religious background of the students working in Kriterion will therefore always be a reflection of the population of Sarajevo. The new cultural centre will help to revitalize the cultural heart of the region.
Kriterion Sarajevo offers great opportunities for ambitious and creative students to let their voice be heard as societal and cultural actors. They are creating the cultural place Sarajevo has been desiring for a long time. An old cinema along the river Miljacka, will become the new cultural hang out of Sarajevo.

Youth development

Kriterion will focus on jobs for students, but will also offer work opportunities to young and ambitious people, who are not at university, but share the desire to work for a better future for them and for cinema in Bosnia. With the income from the tickets and the art house cafe, the students will earn a decent salary and cover remaining expenses. The students are responsible for the day to day management, the film program and for running the cafe. A board selection of professional experts will supervise and support the students in their activities. Through this wide range of activities students get the chance to gain experience in different kinds of employment. Besides individual professional and creative development the Kriterion employees learn how to work in a team. Decisions and goals have to be agreed on by a closely cooperating team. This way the students learn how to express themselves in group meetings and enhance their conversational skills. By working in Kriterion students will be trained in how to transform their ideas into action and by doing so gain self confidence through the realization of these ideas. Overall, this will enhance their talents and ameliorate their chances on the future labor market.

The role of YUA

YUA cooperates with a group of ambitious and motivated young inhabitants of Sarajevo who decided to set up the Foundation Kriterion Sarajevo. Since then, YUA has advised these Young Urban Achievers in the process of setting up Kriterion. YUA does fundraising for the project, shares their network and expertise with Kriterion and guides them in their project management. YUA is in touch with the team in Sarajevo on a daily basis,  through phone calls, e-mails, skype or facebook. Through this constant contact it is possible to provide them with tailor made guidance at any crucial moment. The work teams in Amsterdam and Sarajevo are connected directly, as project coordinators, fundraisers and financial coordinators are both cooperating and supporting each other. This way of working enables both sides to learn from and get inspired by each others and use networks to the fullest potential.

Job Cohen
Burgemeester van Amsterdam

"As the mayor of Amsterdam, I value this breeding place for active citizenship and support its constant contribution to the innovation of the city’s civil society."

Bill Carter
auteur van het boek When Fools Rush In

"Art house Kriterion Sarajevo is a wonderful initiative that enriches one of the most inspiring cities of the world."

Nedzad Bekovic
filmmaker, o.a. Totally Personal

“Sarajevo heeft geen enkele plaats waar jongeren zich op hun eigen manier bezig kunnen houden met cultuur, ik hoop dat Sarajevo een plaats als Kriterion krijgt”