As a response to the growing need and requirements of the processes of promotion and development of volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, local youth NGO – Youth Communication Centre supported the development of volunteering infrastructure since 2005. This resulted in the development of local volunteer services in different cities, which formed a network called Volontiram! There were 14 local volunteer services under the network, established across the country, in Banja Luka, Bihac, Bijeljina, Brcko, Bugojno, Derventa, Doboj, Mostar, Mrkonjic Grad, Sarajevo, Srebrenica, Trebinje, Tuzla and Zenica. 

The vision of the „Volontiram!“ Network was a humane and equal democratic society which actively includes its citizens in society processes. „Volontiram!“ was an informal network of local voluntary services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which contributes to the development of social capacities through activities of promotion and development of volunteering, as a condition for the improvement of the quality of life and for the development of the society altogether.

Several local organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina actively promote youth volunteering and engage volunteers in community action. These include, Volontiraj.ba, Youth Volunteers Visoko, the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Youth Organization “Svitac”, BH Futures Foundation, IFS-EMMAUS, and Islamic Relief Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cultural events such as the Sarajevo Film Festival also provide structured volunteer opportunities, while additional involvement can be found through local volunteer groups.

Information providers

There is limited availability of structured information on volunteering opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina at both local and national levels. In the past, local volunteer services and the “Volontiram!” network contributed to raising awareness and providing information on volunteering opportunities in communities where they operated. However, these structures are no longer active in a coordinated manner, and no central platform currently exists. Bosnia and Herzegovina therefore lacks a unified, state-funded national volunteer center or central online platform dedicated to youth volunteering.

Currently, information on youth volunteering opportunities is provided in a fragmented and decentralized way. At the national level, information is mainly disseminated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and National Erasmus+ Office, primarily in relation to EU mobility and volunteering programs. In addition, civil society organizations and local youth organizations raise awareness through their own websites, social media channels, and project-based recruitment campaigns. At the European level, the European Solidarity Corps and the European Youth Portal serve as key sources of information for young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Key initiatives

Regarding the promotion of volunteering and its coverage in the media, volunteering is not considered an interesting topic to cover. From time to time, media follows up on some of the volunteering programs. This is not done on a regular basis, and it is more sporadic and ad hoc. Furthermore, there is a general lack of information and knowledge resources available on the Internet in local language, especially in relation to volunteer management system, legislation, and research.

CSOs and NGOs are instrumental in raising awareness and facilitating youth volunteering, such as Students Help Lives (Schüler Helfen Leben - SHL) and In Foundation.

International organizations contribute significantly to promoting youth volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) and UN Volunteers and UNDP being most significant.

One of the biggest voluntary awareness campaign was: “Challenge:  Choose the Cause, Be the Effect” - a campaign that encourages people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially its youth, to spread the culture of solidarity, caring and to engage in community service projects by donating their time/resources/knowledge to the benefit of their communities by doing special projects which range from environmental clean-up, helping vulnerable population, mentoring, reading, providing free cultural and artistic performances, or just giving a helping hand in making a community better.  Celebrating 20 years of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered 20,000 volunteers engaged in community service from January 19 to November 21, 2015.  The US Embassy acknowledged all groups and held a midterm and a final party to acknowledge the distinguished volunteers, NGOs/informal group/schools and/or organizations.  Information about the challenge were posted on the wall of “Izazov” Facebook group.