In a world where decisions, from business strategies to public policies, are increasingly based on data, digital and data literacy have become as essential as reading and writing. These skills are no longer reserved for IT professionals or data analysts; today, they are necessary across nearly all professions, from journalism and administration to medicine and education.
What do we mean by digital and data literacy?
Digital literacy encompasses the ability to use digital technologies, tools, and platforms to find, evaluate, create, and share information. Data literacy goes a step further, it is the ability to understand, analyze, and use data to make informed decisions. It involves critical thinking, source verification, interpretation of numerical indicators, and understanding the ethics of data handling.
Research shows that the labor market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasingly demanding skills related to data literacy, even though the term “data literacy” is rarely mentioned explicitly. Employers recognize it through requirements such as advanced knowledge of Excel, database management, report generation, or data analysis. These competencies are sought even in professions not primarily focused on data processing, indicating a shift in expectations toward employees.
In higher education, there are positive examples of collaboration between universities and companies through internships, mentorships, and joint projects, from the IT sector to finance. However, these efforts are not yet systematically coordinated at the national level.
In job advertisements for positions in public institutions, data skills are rarely explicitly stated, but several initiatives indirectly promote them. Among the most significant are:
- The Spatial Data Infrastructure Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2023–2027), which promotes more efficient use of spatial data in planning and management;
- The Open Data Portal, designed to improve transparency and facilitate access to public information;
- E-government reforms and professional development programs, aimed at strengthening digital and managerial competencies in the public sector.
In addition, laws such as the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and educational programs on data ethics raise awareness about privacy and the responsible use of information.
Although progress has been made, Bosnia and Herzegovina still faces numerous challenges in developing digital and data competencies. The education and qualification system remains fragmented, making it difficult to harmonize standards and implement a unified strategy. Formal tools for assessing and recognizing data skills are lacking, and the connection between education policies and real labor market needs remains limited. Furthermore, the system for validating skills acquired through non-formal and informal learning is still underdeveloped, reducing the possibility of officially recognizing and applying such competencies in professional advancement.
Results from the ICILS 2023 showed that digital and data competencies among students in Bosnia and Herzegovina are below average, further emphasizing the need for investment in this area.
Why does this matter?
Without a basic understanding of data, citizens struggle to make informed decisions and are more susceptible to misinformation. In business environments, a lack of data skills slows digital transformation, reduces productivity, and hinders innovation.
The way forward
To make digital and data literacy a standard, it is necessary to:
- Integrate these skills into educational programs from primary schools to universities;
- Develop a system for validating skills acquired through non-formal learning;
- Encourage cooperation between education, the private sector, and public institutions;
- Invest in continuous professional development through targeted programs and training.
Bosnia and Herzegovina already has several successful individual initiatives; now is the time to connect them into a coherent strategy so that citizens and the economy can fully benefit from the potential of the digital era. The Verlab Institute, together with partners from the Western Balkans, has recognized the importance of data literacy and is working through the Erasmus+ project “Advancing Data Literacy and Innovation in the Western Balkans” (DELTA) to research the current level of awareness about data literacy and to provide training for university staff, enabling them to share their newly acquired knowledge with students.
Amra Džuho, Senior Associate, Verlab Institute
Madžida Hundur Hiyari, Associate, Verlab Institute
