For the second time, Softhouse Balkans reached the finals of the SDG Business Pioneers Award. This time, the journey ended at the top. Among more than 400 participating companies, Softhouse Balkans was named the winner in the small business category.
The award is presented across four company categories: micro, small, medium-sized and large enterprises. This year’s winners were Gorsen d.o.o., Softhouse Balkans d.o.o., Atlantic Argeta d.o.o. and Lactalis BH d.o.o. Together, they are recognised as some of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading role models in sustainable business.
Building something that takes time
Some things can be developed in just a few weeks. A new product. A new feature. A new way of working. Culture isn’t one of them. It is built through everyday decisions. Through the way people support one another, share knowledge, welcome new colleagues and create an environment where everyone feels safe enough to contribute.
That is exactly what the People category of the SDG Business Pioneers Award celebrates.
Being selected as the winner among more than 400 companies across Bosnia and Herzegovina makes the recognition especially meaningful.
Products evolve, technologies change, markets shift. But creating an environment where people trust each other, challenge each other, enjoy working together, and continue to grow, that takes years of consistency. – Dina Siber, COO, Softhouse Balkans
A vision that began twelve years ago
When Himzo Musić founded Softhouse Balkans twelve years ago, his ambition was about more than opening another development office. His vision was to build a digital bridge between Sweden and Bosnia, rooted in Scandinavian leadership values such as trust, openness, flat hierarchies and psychological safety. Today, that vision has not only become reality.
It has also been recognised by a UN-supported initiative.
This award is the ultimate validation that our model works. It proves that you don’t have to choose between high-performance business delivery and a deeply empathetic, people-first culture. They actually fuel each other.
Seeing our Sarajevo office recognised as a pioneer in sustainable development shows that we haven’t just built a successful business; we have built a healthy, inspiring community that will impact lives for years to come. – Himzo Musić, CEO, Softhouse Balkans
When people come first, quality follows
The jury recognised organisations that create quality employment, provide equal opportunities and invest in continuous learning. For Softhouse, this is not about isolated HR initiatives. It is simply how the business is run.
Learning, psychological safety, knowledge sharing, feedback and ownership are not occasional programmes—they are part of everyday work.
People often think leadership is about making decisions. I think it is much more about creating the conditions for other people to make decisions.
A big part of my role is removing obstacles, connecting people, encouraging collaboration and creating an environment where everyone feels trusted enough to take ownership. I think that the best leaders should never be the most important people in the room. Their role is to help others become exactly that. – Dina Siber
An award that belongs to the entire team
For both Dina and Himzo, one thing is clear. This award does not belong to management.
It belongs to the people who have built the culture together. With an employee turnover of just three percent, the Sarajevo office has become a place where people choose to stay, develop and help one another succeed.
Standing on that stage, I didn’t feel like I was accepting an award as a leader. I felt privileged to represent something much bigger than myself – a culture that every single person at our office helps shape every day. – Dina Siber
A celebration of people – and two national teams
The celebration did not stop with the award ceremony. Bosnia and Herzegovina had just reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history. Just days later, Sweden achieved the same milestone. It made for a week that no one at Softhouse is likely to forget.
Between celebrating both of our home countries and celebrating this award together, it has been a pretty unforgettable week for everyone at Softhouse. – Dina Siber
Looking ahead
Winning the SDG Business Pioneers Award is an important milestone. But perhaps more importantly, it confirms something Softhouse has believed from the very beginning.
Great technology starts with great people.
And twelve years after the Sarajevo office was founded, that belief continues to shape everything we build—together.
