Mia Zupančič has a degree in psychology and is currently completing her Master’s degree in marriage and family studies. She has been gaining experience with youth work since she was a teenager, initially in the role of an active volunteer, guide and head of one of the local units of the Scout Association of Slovenia, which means that she has been working with children, adolescents and young volunteers since the age of 16, during which time she also completed many youth leadership courses. She was also a volunteer at many youth organizations and youth centers in Slovenia, as well as at programs focused on the promotion of (mainly mental) health among children and adolescents. During her studies, she started working in the field of mental health, especially through prevention programs. At first, she was the project manager of the Safe Internet Institute, where she developed, implemented and evaluated preventive programs on modern topics such as Internet addiction and online violence. She currently works as the Secretary General of the Youth Network No Excuse Slovenia and the ad interim Secretary General at the YHO. She is also a member of the pool of trainers of the National Youth Council of Slovenia, a vice president for sustainable development of the NYC Slovenia, and has also obtained the national professional qualification Youth Worker. In her free time she likes to spend time in nature, doing activities that most people would not consider very relaxing, such as climbing, paragliding and hiking, but it seems to work for her as people usually describe her as a calm person.
Secretariat
Secretary General ad interim
Nina Bavčar Čargo
Nina Bavčar Čargo, Master of Laws, mediator, and activist, began her career in the youth sector 15 years ago as a youth worker at the Youth Council of Ajdovščina, where she was responsible for the development of the local youth sector. She later served for six years as the Director of the Institute for Youth Policy and Head of the Youth-Friendly Municipality program, focusing on the development of the youth sector at the local level across all 212 municipalities in Slovenia. For several years, she was also a member of the Youth-Friendly Municipality certification committee.
As a co-author of numerous youth strategies, she has extensive expertise in strategy development and youth inclusion at both local and national levels. She further expanded her international experience as Director of SLOAM, Slovenian Youth Agency, where she continues to be actively involved in the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) program.
She currently works as the Secretary General of the Youth Network, where she aims to transfer and apply her extensive knowledge and experience to further strengthen the organization. Nina is also active in formal education, having worked for many years as an external lecturer at the Nova Gorica People’s University. In her free time, she most enjoys spending time with her family, especially on walks or hiking in the mountains.
PROJECT MANAGER
Nina Beja
Nina Beja holds a university degree in Food Science and a degree in Environmental Protection and has been actively involved in youth work for many years. At the end of her studies, she joined a local youth center as a volunteer, where she discovered her passion for youth work. This eventually led to a nearly seven-year career as a youth worker.
In her youth work, she integrated diverse topics, including career guidance, mental and physical health promotion, and intersectoral collaboration. She is a non-formal education trainer and a member of the trainer pools of the Youth Council of Slovenia and Ljubljana Pride Association. Nina finds inspiration in working with young people, as it offers mutual learning opportunities and fills her with hope for a better world.
In September 2024, Nina joined YHO, where she combines her project management skills with her dedication to youth health and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys cultural activities and exploring local stories and history.
EXPERT ASSOCIATE
Ines Likar
Ines is working at YHO as an Expert Associate, focusing primarily on mental health topics, but is also deeply invested in topics surrounding Alcohol, Tobacco, and Substance Use. She believes in the power of prevention and is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, striving for the wellbeing of the youth and society. During her time as a psychology student, she was an active member of the Slovenian Psychology Students’ Association (DŠPS) Executive Board, where she took on the role of Secretary. She was a part of the development and execution of the program for the mental health awareness project Kako si?, and led the advocacy section of the initiative. Ines also gained valuable experience working in a clinical setting, where she co-led the program Counseling and Support for Patients in Smoking Cessation. In 2025, she served as Slovenia’s youth delegate to the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Project Associate
Mojca Čeh
Mojca is a psychology student, interested in clinical psychology and prevention in the field of mental health. She is also a vice president of Slovenian Psychology Students’ Association (DŠPS) and has managed some projects regarding mental health, most noticeably project Kako si?, a public campaign dedicated to public mental health awareness building. She is also a soft skill trainer at Skupina Psihomoč and has held some workshops for grownups as well as for high schoolers. Her hobbies include volleyball, painting, hiking, and enjoying a good book.
Project Associate
Elena Miletić
Elena is passionately committed to improving mental health, with an academic foundation in clinical and health psychology. She has been awarded the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and completed a Master’s degree in Clinical and Health Psychology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. Now pursuing REBT psychotherapy training in Belgrade, Elena brings both academic research skills and practical experience from international projects in mental health and peer counselling. As a project associate in the country office of YHO in Montenegro, she is devoted to bringing the best international practices to the national context. By focusing on a holistic approach to health, she aims to empower young people to reinforce healthy behaviours, build resilience, and thrive in their personal and community lives.
External associates
Ajda Stepišnik
Ajda is an advocate for youth health at both national and international level. As a pharmacy student, she has been an active member of the Slovenian Pharmacy Students’ Association (DŠFS) for several years, not least in her role as President of the Association. She represents the interests of pharmacy and allied health students at international events as a member of the Public Health Committee of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), where this year she serves as Programme Director on Gender Equality. Ajda is also a soft-skills trainer and regularly conducts workshops for future health professionals.
