Within the regional project “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans,” funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), nine civil society organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been awarded grants. These selected projects focus on key areas such as promoting transitional justice, addressing past conflicts, strengthening social cohesion, and protecting human rights.
A meeting was held in Sarajevo to mark the awarding of these grants, bringing together representatives from the chosen civil society organizations and UNDP. The event provided a platform to discuss the planned activities, expected outcomes, and opportunities for collaboration aimed at fostering trust and reconciliation within local communities.
Aida Laković Hošo, Head of the Good Governance Sector at UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted the critical role of civil society organizations in raising public awareness about the conflicts and war crimes of the 1990s, as well as enhancing regional cooperation. She emphasized that these grants represent an investment not only in financial terms but also in building trust, dialogue, and peace.
The funding was distributed through two public calls that attracted a total of 73 project proposals from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the limited budget and strong competition, the grants were awarded to the most impactful and relevant initiatives with the greatest potential to contribute to reconciliation and trust-building in the region.
The nine approved projects received a combined funding allocation of approximately EUR 320,000. They include initiatives such as the Transitional Justice Academy by Association BH Journalists in Sarajevo, “Learning Together, Building Peace Together” by the Roma Girl association in Prnjavor, and “Catharsis for the Future” by Youth Theatre Tuzla, among others. These projects cover a wide range of activities including youth education, artistic interventions, public awareness campaigns, victim support, and efforts to rebuild trust in institutions.
Implementation will take place across Bosnia and Herzegovina in cities such as Sarajevo, Tuzla, Prijedor, Banja Luka, and Prnjavor. The initiatives engage diverse social groups, with particular attention to women, youth, and marginalized communities, contributing to a more cohesive and peaceful society.
