Governance

The relevant ministries for administration and governance of laws on voluntarism in BiH are: FBiH Ministry of Justice and RS Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports.

There are no national or regional authorities responsible for youth volunteering, and the majority of voluntary activities are governed by youth non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Law on Associations of Citizens and Foundations defines the non-profit sector in BiH. This Law regulates procedures for the registration of NGOs or CSOs and the general framework for their operation. Furthermore, in both entities of BiH there is a Law on Youth that regulates the registration of and operational framework for youth organisations. Besides CSOs, the non-profit sector includes other types of legal entities such as sport clubs and public institutions operating in different sectors, such as education, health, social care or culture.

According to the Law on Volunteering in RS and Law on Volunteering in FBiH, all legal entities mentioned above are allowed to be volunteering organisers and to engage volunteers.

The secondary school students’ councils and university students’ organisations form another part of the non-profit sector, relevant to volunteering. These structures are usually based on voluntary work, and the results they achieve through implementation of their programmes would not be possible without volunteers.

Regarding the structures focused on the promotion and development of volunteering, there are local volunteer services operating in the country, and they are united through the informal network named “Volontiram!”

There is no other specialised structure, although many NGOs use volunteers for the planning and the implementation of various programmes focused on local community needs.

Other stakeholders

Beside the local voluntary sector in BiH, there are other stakeholders influencing the promotion and development of volunteering. A few of these are governmental stakeholders that support volunteering. 

Regarding the profit sector, there are not many examples of their support towards volunteering. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is still something new in BiH and not so much used at this point. Some of the international corporations that operate in BiH include CSR in their policy, however this has not been done in a systematic way and nor has it been promoted within the communities. In the future, CSR will be an interesting topic to be developed and promoted by the business sector. The civil society sector in BiH is not entirely prepared for these processes.

Regarding the international organisations and institutions actively involved in promotion and development of volunteering, these are United Nation Volunteers (UNV) in BiH and the Office for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in BiH. These two international organisations through their various programmes provided support to volunteering, especially in area of lobbying for volunteering legal framework and for the recognition of volunteering by local governments.

The Delegation of the European Commission to BiH does not provide specific funding for promotion and development of volunteering in BiH, even if some of the projects funded by this institution include volunteering as tool or methodology for project implementation. This is mainly due to the non-recognition of volunteering by the state government which is the one defining priorities for the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) funding in negotiations with the EU.

Cross-sectoral cooperation 

Cross-sectoral cooperation in volunteering between different sectors within BiH showcases sporadic collaborative efforts among governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), educational institutions, and international organizations. These partnerships aim to enhance the volunteering infrastructure, promote social cohesion, and effectively address community needs. 

In October 2024, following devastating floods and landslides, residents and activists in Jablanica united to clean up Lake Jablanica. This community-driven effort involved local citizens, environmental activists, and municipal authorities collaborating to remove debris and restore the lake's natural beauty. The initiative not only rehabilitated the environment but also strengthened community bonds through collective volunteerism. 

Launched in November 2022, the Beyond Words project at the Srebrenica Memorial Center engaged young researchers and volunteers in documenting oral histories of genocide survivors. This project was a collaborative effort supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It provided a platform for volunteers, including descendants of victims, to contribute to preserving historical narratives, thereby fostering intergenerational dialogue and understanding. 

The "H.A.N.D." (Humanitarian Aid for the Needs of Development) project, initiated by the Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities (BRAVO BiH) in 2023, exemplifies cross-sectoral cooperation. This initiative brought together volunteers from various European countries to engage in humanitarian activities across Sarajevo, including assisting in migration camps, elderly care centers, kindergartens, and facilities for children with autism. The project facilitated cultural exchange and collective action, enhancing the social fabric of the communities involved. 

Commencing in August 2021, the Proactive Citizens (PRAGG) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), aims to bolster civic engagement in BiH. This initiative focuses on empowering socially excluded groups by enhancing their participation in public policy development through collaboration with CSOs, not-for-profit media, and governmental authorities. The project underscores the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships in fostering democratic processes and social inclusion. 

In 2023, the RESOLVE: Volunteering 4 Peace program offered opportunities for volunteers to engage in peace building activities in BD. Participants collaborated with local organizations to conduct cultural and educational workshops aimed at youth empowerment and conflict resolution. This program highlights the role of international cooperation and volunteerism in promoting peace and social cohesion within the region.