Meet the team
Belma Cemalovic embarked on her journey in the field of youth organizations as a student during her Bachelor’s in Business Studies in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and partially in Dublin, Ireland. Her early involvement in youth organisations began in 2009 with AIESEC, a global platform dedicated to nurturing young leaders through diverse practical experiences, including internships and volunteering. Over two years, Belma played a pivotal role in projects centered around youth mobility and later ascended to the position of Local Committee Exchange Vice President, where she led initiatives to recruit international students for internships across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Expanding her horizon, Belma also volunteered in Dublin during her final year of studies, contributing to an after-school program for elementary students, before furthering her commitment to youth development with the Youth Informative Organisation (OIA) in Sarajevo. Throughout the years, she worked in project management and was involved with various organizations, including HOPE ´87, the Foreign Policy Initiative, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung for South-East Europe, enriching her expertise in managing projects across local, regional, and EU levels.
Belma also holds a Master’s Degree in Management of Public Sector and Environmental Economics from the University of Ljubljana, Sloveni and is pursuing a second Master’s in Digital Entrepreneurship at FH Joanneum in Graz Austria. She currently works as a Senior Innovation Consultant and International Project Manager at the High-tech business incubator Science Park Graz and is part of the ESA BIC team (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre).
Martina Ivanko has been a participant in voluntary projects from her elementary school days, contributing to project proposal writing, fundraising, and implementation. Her involvement in event management, particularly in summer camps organized in collaboration with Jugendzentrum Jugendhus Hardehausen in Padeborn, Germany, has bestowed her with comprehensive insights into project preparation and execution.
During her academic years in Sarajevo, Martina contributed significantly to the OIA, transitioning from a project assistant to a project manager. In 2009, she co-founded the Sarajevo branch of AEGEE, Europe’s vast student organization advocating for a democratic, diverse, and borderless Europe, spearheading youth exchanges, summer camps, and various conferences.
Martina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, is on the verge of completing her Master’s Studies in Economics at Karl-Franzes University in Graz. She has been working in the Styrian Sparkasse Bank in the corporate retail sales sector and is currently on maternity leave, however remains active in the United Power of Youth.
Raja Waseem is an intern at UPOY, where his main responsibilities include social media management and partner coordination. A Master’s student in Computer Science at the University of Vienna, Raja brings both a technical and creative edge to the team. Originally from Pakistan, where he completed his Bachelor’s in Computer Science, he is also an experienced content creator and dissemination specialist. His involvement in numerous Erasmus+ programs across Europe has provided him with a broad perspective on topics such as mental health, sustainable development, and AI. Raja’s enthusiasm for learning, along with his interests in volunteering, reading, and fitness, make him a valuable asset to UPOY.
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