Existence of a national strategy on social inclusion

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Social Inclusion Strategy 2010-2013 (Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate for Economic Planning) was prepared between 2008 and 2010. It envisaged the preparation of an action plan and a financial framework for its implementation. The action plans were adopted only by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District governments, but not by the Republika Srpska Government and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers. Even where the action plans were adopted, they were not implemented.

There are also the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Social Inclusion Strategy 2021-2027 and Republika Srpska Social Inclusion Strategy 2021-2027, but a dedicated youth-specific social inclusion strategy is lacking.

At the state level, the most relevant related framework is the Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma (2021–2025), coordinated by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, which includes elements of youth employment, housing, and education.

Scope and contents 

Although not consolidated under a single youth social inclusion strategy, the following target areas are repeatedly addressed across entity-level policy documents:

• Employment of vulnerable youth, especially NEETs and young Roma,

• Access to inclusive education for marginalized youth (e.g. Roma children, returnees who fled war, youth with disabilities),

• Combating youth poverty and migration,

• Youth participation and civic engagement, especially in the Brčko District Youth Strategy,

• Some programs include gender-focused and rural youth measures, notably in Republika Srpska.

Strategies identify youth facing multiple forms of exclusion: unemployed, uneducated, ethnic minorities, young mothers, rural youth, and returnees.

Responsible authority

Social inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not regulated by a single state-level policy document but is instead decentralized across the entities (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska) and Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the state level, there is no comprehensive social inclusion strategy, though related issues are partially addressed through international obligations, EU programs, and targeted actions (particularly for Roma). The key relevant documents are the entity-level Social Inclusion Strategies for the period 2021–2027, which are harmonized and effectively serve as a common framework for the entire country, developed with support from UNICEF and the EU.

State level – Bosnia and Herzegovina

There is no unified state strategy for social inclusion. Related matters are coordinated through the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other institutions. A specific action plan exists for Roma (previous cycle; newer drafts are in preparation):

• Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Needs of Roma in the Areas of Employment, Housing and Health Care 2017–2020: Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Entity level – Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Social Inclusion Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021–2027 

Entity level – Republika Srpska

• Social Inclusion Strategy of Republika Srpska 2021–2027

Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina level

Social Inclusion Strategy of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021–2027