Intercultural awareness

There are no state-level initiatives promoting social inclusion and raising awareness in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Brčko District 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 Brčko District Bosnia and Herzegovina. It states that the Brčko District National Minority Council is an advisory body to the Brčko District 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 Brčko District. 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, several internationally supported initiatives have been implemented to strengthen intercultural understanding, tolerance and dialogue among young people. These efforts are in line with the EU’s strategic focus on social inclusion, diversity and intercultural education. BRIDGE was a multi-actor program 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 program 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Erasmus+ BEYOND – Interculturalism Beyond Multiculturalism is a project implemented through the Erasmus+ program 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 program employed non-formal education methodologies and targeted young adults aged 16 and above from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Kosovo, Hungary, and Serbia.

Young people's rights

International organizations and civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina have implemented several programs aimed at increasing youth awareness of human rights, active citizenship, and democratic engagement.

Youth4Values (BRAVO Bosnia and Herzegovina) was an Erasmus+ capacity-building project coordinated by BRAVO Bosnia and Herzegovina and supported by the OSCE and other partners. Implemented through workshops and activities (including a training course in February 2025 and youth exchanges), the project promoted active citizenship, political engagement, civic education, and European identity. Its methodologies included interactive workshops, simulations, and peer exchanges. The initiative targeted young people aged 16–30 across the country.

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

The Y-Peer Network (supported by UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina) is an ongoing initiative 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 various cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina such as Banja Luka, Tuzla, Bihać, and Brčko.

Key initiatives to safeguard democracy and prevent radicalization leading to violent extremism among young people

Radicalization and violent extremism remain concerns in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), particularly among young people vulnerable to online propaganda, ethnonationalist narratives, and socioeconomic challenges such as high youth unemployment and institutional mistrust. While terrorist attacks are rare (with notable incidents in 2024 involving a minor influenced by Islamist radicalization), prevention efforts focus on building youth resilience through education, dialogue, and community engagement. Most initiatives are led by civil society organizations (CSOs) and international partners, as state-level cooperation with youth groups on radicalization is limited.

The Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Preventing and Combating Terrorism 2021–2026 (adopted in 2022) emphasizes prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, aligning with international obligations. However, its action plan has not yet been fully adopted, and implementation relies heavily on entity-level plans and donor-funded projects.

Several internationally supported initiatives target youth radicalization:

The PRONI Centre for Youth Development has been a pioneer in preventing violent extremism among young people, through research, training for youth workers, campaigns, and documentaries recognized as good practice by the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership. PRONI partnered in the three-year project "De-Radicalization in Europe and Beyond: Detect, Resolve, Re-integrate", mapping radicalization narratives and developing interventions for social inclusion. In Brčko District, PRONI promoted the amateur documentary "POTRAGA" to counter stigma and extremism in communities like Gornja Maoča, involving local youth in deradicalization efforts.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has organized multisectoral workshops and youth-focused activities to prevent violent extremism, bringing together local actors, educators, and young people to exchange best practices and build resilience.

In 2016, under OSCE Youth Summits on Preventing Violent Extremism, national workshops trained high school students, educators, and psychologists to recognize and resist radical ideologies, fostering critical thinking and civic responsibility among youth.

The Council of Europe launched the 12-month project “Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (PER-VEO, Phase I) on 1 January 2025, building institutional capacity for rehabilitation, with indirect benefits for prevention among at-risk youth through multi-stakeholder involvement.

The State of Peace Youth Academy (organized by the EU Delegation and Post-Conflict Research Center) was held as a 14-day summer program (1–14 August 2025), engaging young participants aged 18–30 from Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries in peacebuilding, human rights, and transitional justice workshops to strengthen civic engagement and counter extremist narratives.

These donor-supported programs highlight the project-based nature of youth-focused prevention, with limited direct state involvement in engaging young people or CSOs on radicalization issues.