International University of Sarajevo Launches WELL-BIH4EU, Its Third Jean Monnet Project

International University of Sarajevo (IUS) has added another milestone to its growing European studies portfolio with WELL-BIH4EU: Sustainable Consumption and Consumer Well-Being in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Way to EU Integration, its third and most recent Jean Monnet project. IUS is proud to be building such a strong curriculum, and the new project reflects its continued commitment to internationally oriented, high-quality education.

The project addresses sustainable consumption and consumer well-being within the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina's progression toward EU integration. Due to the complexity of EU sustainability and consumer protection policies, the module adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating psychology, economics, management, ethics, and law to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable consumption, consumer behavior, and well-being.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Hamza Smajić leads a project team comprising Prof. Dr. Emil Knezović, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Šejma Aydin, Asst. Prof. Dr. Azra Bičo, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emir Hambo, Prof. Dr. Ognjen Riđić and Prof. Dr. Joseph Kaminski, with support from OSP. The collective expertise of the team underpins the project’s multidisciplinary approach.

The course aims to bridge theoretical knowledge and practical experience through active engagement with industry practitioners, establishing direct connections between classroom learning and the application of EU standards. Students will observe the practical functioning of the EU and analyze the relevance of its principles and regulations across diverse contexts.

The project adopts a comparative perspective, examining both EU Member States and candidate countries. This approach provides students with a deeper understanding of the European integration process, its challenges, and future prospects, while reinforcing core EU values such as human dignity and consumer rights. The project further promotes interdisciplinary learning and emphasizes knowledge exchange.

The course examines EU consumer policy, consumer protection, and the sustainability agenda, focusing on key policies such as the Consumer Rights Directive, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the New Consumer Agenda, and the European Green Deal. Additionally, it addresses Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 12 in relation to consumer well-being and sustainability.

Through WELL-BIH4EU, IUS continues to strengthen its role in EU studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, equipping students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical understanding necessary to contribute to the country's EU integration process.