Intercultural awareness

There are no state-level initiatives promoting social inclusion and raising awareness in BiH. The BD Assembly, at its 12th regular session held on July 15, 2021, adopted Law on Amendments to the Law on Protection of the Rights of Members of National Minorities in the BD BiH . It states that the BD National Minority Council is an advisory body to the BD Assembly that provides recommendations, opinions, advice, and proposals on issues related to the rights of members of national minorities, thus contributing to the promotion of the intercultural dialogue acceptance and tolerance of other cultures. It is composed of one representative from each national minority represented in BD. 

Several internationally supported initiatives have been implemented in BiH to strengthen intercultural understanding, tolerance, and dialogue among youth. These efforts align with the EU's strategic focus on social inclusion, diversity, and intercultural education.

BRIDGE – Building Relations for Intercultural Dialogue in BiH was a multi-actor programme coordinated by UNDP and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). It was implemented from October 2021 to September 2023. The project brought together young people from various ethnic, religious, and geographic backgrounds through joint activities in nature, science, tourism, and environmental protection. Its core objective was to reduce prejudice, rebuild mutual trust, and foster a culture of shared values and intercultural dialogue. The programme specifically targeted young people aged 16 to 30 from ethnically divided and post-conflict communities across the country. The relevant project partners were youth NGOs, relevant entity ministries and local governments in BiH.

Erasmus+ BEYOND – Interculturalism Beyond Multiculturalism is a project implemented through the Erasmus+ programme that involved two youth exchange workshops held in May and March 2022. Its objective was to enhance intercultural dialogue and critical understanding of identity, values, and discrimination, including xenophobia, nationalism, and racism. The programme employed non-formal education methodologies and targeted young adults aged 16 and above from BiH, Italy, Kosovo, Hungary, and Serbia.

Young people's rights

International organisations and civil society organisations in BiH have implemented several programmes aimed at increasing youth awareness of human rights, active citizenship, and democratic engagement.

Youth4Values (BRAVO BiH) is an Erasmus+ capacity-building project coordinated by BRAVO BiH and supported by OSCE and other partners. Implemented through workshops held from April to July 2025, the project promotes active citizenship, political engagement, civic education, and European identity. Its methodologies include interactive workshops, simulations, and peer exchanges. The initiative targets young people aged 16–30 across the country.

State of Peace Youth Academy 2025 is a project organised by the EU Delegation and the Post-Conflict Research Center. It is a 14-day summer academy (1–14 August 2025) that provides training in peacebuilding, human rights, transitional justice, and interreligious dialogue. It is designed to strengthen youth civic engagement and leadership. The academy is open to participants aged 18–30 from BiH, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

Y‑Peer Network (UNFPA BiH), supported by UNFPA, is an ongoing initiative (active since 2024) that empowers young people to act as peace ambassadors and agents of social change. Activities include campaigns against hate speech, training on gender equality, and initiatives to enhance social cohesion. The network focuses on youth aged 18–30, including Roma youth and other marginalized groups, in cities such as Banja Luka, Tuzla, Bihac, and Brcko.

Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalisation leading to violent extremism

The Strategy of BiH for the Prevention and Combating Terrorism 2021-2026 is an expression of the commitment of institutions at all levels of government in BiH in preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism, radicalization and other phenomena leading to terrorism, following the country's international obligations as a member of the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Anti-Terrorist Coalition and a potential candidate for EU membership.

The Action Plan for the Review of the Strategy for Prevention and Combating Terrorism (2021-2026) has been drafted, but not yet adopted. In order to implement strategic measures focusing on prevention and fight against terrorism, prevention of violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism and hate crimes, which are within the competence of state institutions, and for the purpose of harmonization and coordination of implementation of measures determined by this Strategy, are under the competence of the RS, FBiH (in cooperation with cantons) and BD governments. This Action Plan is adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers at the proposal of the Working Group. The entity governments and the BD Government adopted their own action plans for the implementation of the Strategy which are in line with the objectives and measures set out in this document and for which the competence of the entity and institutions of the BD is defined by the Law. 

The FBiH Government, at its 233rd session held on August 28, 2020, adopted the Operational Plan for the implementation of the BiH Strategy for the Prevention and Fight Against Terrorism 2023-2025, which is still valid today.

However, during the development of the new Action Plan, the Inter-Sectoral Working Group of the FBiH Government (IRRG) was informed by the FBiH Institute for Development Programming that there is an obligation to apply the provisions of the Law on Development Planning and Development Management in FBiH and the Regulation on Policy Preparation when drafting a new policy. Given that this is a policy that would be part of the State Strategy, the form of creating action plans for entities and BD was recommended. However, on the other hand, the legal acts mentioned in FBiH clearly specify the mandatory form when creating policies, so it was necessary to find an adequate solution to this problem. In the letter No. 01-02-47-3/23 sent on March 29, 2023, by the FBiH Institute for Development Programming, the IRRG was recommended to name the document: Operational plan of the FBiH Government for the implementation of the BiH Strategy for the Prevention and Combating Terrorism 2023 - 2026.

Deradicalization and Integration: Legal & Policy Framework BiH/Country Report WP4 (January 2022) is a report providing a conceptual account on how existing policies and laws address radicalization to pinpoint their most critical aspects and best practices, and finally to develop evidence-based policy and legal guidelines to contribute to combating radicalism and extremism in BiH.

The report contains various legalizations and regulations dealing with issues of radicalization of terrorism, radicalism and extremism. This report also addresses the controversies over the BiH Constitution stemming from the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement and its support for ethnic divisions in the country and the alienation of minorities in BiH.

The national framework legislation on radicalization and de-radicalization

In its introduction, the BiH Strategy for Preventing and Combating and Terrorism 2015-2020 provides that: "The threat of potential terrorist attacks is growing in BiH as well as in all partner countries of the anti-terrorist coalition." The existing infrastructure (both legislative and institutional) for monitoring and combating this problem is insufficient". The Strategy was adopted in July 2015, the Action Plan in October 2016, and the Supervisory Body for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy was established in mid-2017. Most of the funds spent on implementing the Strategy were foreign donations, and the money was mostly spent on conferences and workshops. In November 2022, BiH adopted the BiH Strategy for the Prevention and Combating Terrorism 2021 - 2026, while the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy was adopted on August 23, 2023. The Strategy is based on prevention, protection, investigation and prosecution and response/reaction to terrorist attacks. By adopting the Strategy, BiH has declared that it is ready to strengthen national capacities for the fight against terrorism and is a continuation of the BiH Strategy for the Prevention and Combating Terrorism 2015-2020. Given that the report on the implementation of the BiH Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism 2015-2020 has not yet been written, we cannot know what effects it ultimately had on the fight against terrorism. 

The Strategy does not involve producing intersectional cooperation between different institutions and sectors. It is also notable that the BiHMinistry of Security has not established almost any kind of cooperation with youth organizations or generally civil sector concerning radicalization of young people. Such activities were mainly carried out by domestic or foreign CSOs with foreign donations.

An agreement on Cooperation between the RS Interior Ministry and Civil Society Organizations

The RS Police Director and representatives of several citizens' associations signed an agreement on cooperation between the RS Interior Ministry and civil society organizations in Banja Luka, which aims to improve coordination and cooperation to strengthen the protection of young people from internet abuse. The Agreement plans to create, promote and implement an Android application, as well as provide counselling and other support to young people who are or may be subject to abuse on the Internet.

The Agreement was signed by representatives of the citizens' association "Be Well", CSO "Victory" and CSO "New Generation – Blue Telephone", and in the coming period it will be signed by the Institute for Youth Development "Perpetuum Mobile", "PRONI" Centre for Youth Development, Foundation "Agora", CSO "C.E.Z.A.R",Youth Centre Bijeljina, Youth Association "Young Activists-Knezevo", Youth Association "Centre", CSO "Youth Centre Petar Kocic", CSO "Bridge" and other youth NGOs.

PRONI is one of the first organizations in BiH to work on the prevention of violent extremism with the focus on research, training for youth workers, campaigns and documentaries. Its work was recognized as an example of good practice in a study published by the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership.

The PRONI Centre for Youth Development is a partner in BiH in the three-year project "De-Radicalization in Europe and Beyond: Detect, Resolve, Re-integrate". The main goals of the project are mapping stakeholders and the situation of radicalization, assessing online and offline narratives that cause radicalism, development of a pilot platform, or preliminary studies to assess this phenomenon, all in order to take corrective measures and intervene in social inclusion development process.

Maoca Youth Club 2.0 project: Expanded Youth Interaction and Messaging

This five-month project has been implemented by the PRONI Youth Club Maoca since December 2020. In accordance with the goals of the PRONI Centre for Youth Development related to encouraging activism among the young population, empowerment, providing support and a safe place for the realization of their ideas, numerous activities were held such as auto-moto meetings and peace camp on Majevica, which is one of the results of the long-term strategic goal of the PRONI Centre for Youth Development - peacebuilding, with the intention of connecting young people of different territorial and non-territorial identities. The project is supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the BHRI program (Bosnia and Herzegovina resilience initiative).

In BD, the PRONI Centre for Youth Development promoted its first amateur documentary called "POTRAGA" in order to prevent radicalism and violent extremism among young people. The documentary screening was attended by young people from the Youth Club Maoca who are actively working to remove the stigma from their local community, as they are associated with locality Gornji Fatovi, better known as “Gornja Maoca”.

Prevention and Combating Violent Extremism - Main Topic of Multisectoral Workshops Organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH

The OSCE Mission to BiH organized a series of multisectoral workshops on the role of local actors in preventing and combating violent extremism, bringing together representatives of municipalities, civil society organizations, educational institutions, social welfare centres, health centres, police, religious communities and penitentiary institutions.

The aim of these workshops was to improve the knowledge of local actors in the fight against violent extremism and radicalization through the exchange of best practices, discussion and clarification of security issues, and creating activities for specific regions. In addition, action plans were supported through the Mission's programs in the areas of security cooperation, human rights, democratic governance, education and the rule of law.

The BiH Ministry of Security and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have implemented a project to strengthen institutional capacity for a reference mechanism for the prevention of violent extremism.

The overall goal of this project is in line with the BiH Strategy for Prevention and Combating Terrorism 2015-2020. The BiH Ministry of Security is a key partner institution at the state level, in addition to the RS Ministry of Interior, the FBiH Ministry of Interior and cantonal ministries of interior, the BD Police and other local actors.

The Atlantic Initiative: Research of Ethnonationalist Extremism in BiH (2021)

This research contributes to understanding the rise of far-right ideas in BiH and explains how the regional and international context serves as a platform for the flourishing of such organizations and narratives. Right-wing parties have been on stage in Europe for some time. Anti-immigrant narratives have been on the rise in the last decade. Hatred and discrimination against Roma have been a part of the Eastern European culture for too long and has not received adequate political or legal attention. Efforts to achieve gender equality around the world, and in BiH as well, have resulted in undeniable legal and practical results, but religious officials and conservative political figures strongly oppose it. The concept of gender equality has been shaken by populist narratives about the threat to traditional and “family” values. Religious organizations defend very strongly traditional values ​​and patriarchy. Criticism of misogyny, patriarchy, and toxic masculinity is important, but it is still limited to activists and intellectual elites and a section of the younger population. An analysis of online media shows that the vast majority of right-wing groups obsessively display religious symbols, highlighting right-wingers as frequent guests in all places of worship, and often openly showing that they include religious officials in their ranks. At the same time, BiH faces a number of problems. Nationalist political parties promote an ethno-nationalist agenda whose spread is key to their existence, while also feeding the far-right narrative on a daily basis. Repetitive messages from endangered Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks are the anthem of the political discourse in BiH. We have recently witnessed attempts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and prosecute COVID-19-related corruption immediately manipulated as an attack on ethnicity. In addition, the analysis of social networks shows that most right-wing groups are obsessive in depicting religious symbols and that they are often guests in churches or involve the participation of the clergy in their ranks.

Several internationally supported initiatives have been launched to counter youth radicalisation and promote democratic values, social resilience, and institutional support for preventing violent extremism.

Under the OSCE Youth Summits on Preventing Violent Extremism two national workshops were held in April 2016 in Teslić and Vogošća, co-hosted by the OSCE Mission to BiH and the BiH Security Ministry. These national workshops trained high school students, educators, and psychologists to recognize and resist radical ideologies. The programme focused on developing critical thinking, civic responsibility, and resilience to extremist narratives. The events were part of OSCE’s broader programme on education for peace and security.

On 1 January 2025 the Council of Europe initiated the implementation of a 12-month project entitled “Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in BiH” (PER-VEO), phase I. It is implemented in close cooperation with the three Ministries of Justice (BiH, FBiH, and RS), and their respective partners from the entity and state penitentiary institutions, law enforcement agencies, social welfare services and other relevant stakeholders. The programme aims to build institutional capacity to rehabilitate and reintegrate violent extremist offenders (VEOs) and to establish standardized procedures for prevention and response. Participants include municipal officials, social workers, prison staff, and law enforcement personnel. The project has an overall budget of EUR 500,000 and is financed under the Action Plan for BiH 2020–2025.

Humanity in Action – Strengthening Youth Resilience is a regional initiative, launched in 2018, which engages young people through interfaith and intercultural dialogue, summer schools, and media campaigns to counter radicalisation. The programme seeks to raise awareness about the drivers of extremism and equips youth leaders, educators, and community members with tools for fostering democratic engagement and social inclusion.

The European Union in BiH, in partnership with the Post-Conflict Research Center, organized the third State of Peace Youth Academy between 1 and 14 August 2025. Youth participants took part in a dynamic two-week program visiting seven cities, engaging in workshops, site visits, cultural events, and peacebuilding initiatives, all while exploring BiH’s rich heritage and history during their summer break.

The State of Peace Youth Academy is an annual immersive program that brings together young people from BiH, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The program offers opportunities to engage with local, regional, and international stakeholders, including decision makers, civil society activists, peace building and reconciliation experts, and peers to build skills, deepen understanding of transitional justice, and foster connections for a more peaceful future.