There is no state-level law regulating civic education in BiH. The Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education in BiH (2003) provides that education needs to promote democratic values, human rights, minority rights, and freedom of expression, and that curricula must ensure civic and moral education as part of primary and secondary education.

In BiH, civic education is provided as a compulsory or elective separate subject in FBiH and RS without being integrated into other compulsory subjects. Its implementation is not consistent across entities, BD and cantons in FBiH.

Civic education in BiH has being conducted in some parts of BiH, while in some cases it is not implemented at all. The local civil society organization CIVITAS has played a major role in the promotion of civic education, which has been working on the promotion and implementation of civic education in elementary and secondary schools in BiH through their network for years.

Policy framework

There is no policy framework for civic education in BiH and education laws do not define it specifically. Although there is no single law that regulates citizenship education as a separate subject throughout the entire territory of BiH, a legal framework exists through framework laws at the state level, entity and cantonal laws and strategic documents and international obligations.

Formal learning

Curricula for secondary education in BiH include civic education as a separate subject, but in different ways depending on the entity, canton, or BD. There is no unified approach, so the content, status (mandatory or elective subject), subject title, and number of teaching hours vary significantly. The subject is usually called “Civic education” or “Democracy and human rights”. In cases where it does not exist as a separate subject, elements of civic education are often integrated into subjects such as History, Sociology, Ethics, Philosophy and Culture of Religions.

There is currently no unified standard for the number of civic education hours in schools in BiH. It is generally taught for one class per week during one school year in both primary and secondary schools.

Non-formal and informal learning

The U.S. Embassy’s Civic Education Program supports an in-school civic education curriculum as an extracurricular learning opportunity, alongside student competitions and teacher certification efforts .

Youth Policy Camps, organized by Humanity in Action BiH and partners, offer immersive workshops in political literacy and democratic engagement for 18–25-year-olds.

The Education for Peace (EFP) programme is a comprehensive initiative implemented in schools and communities across BiH. It promotes a culture of peace, multi-ethnic understanding, human rights, and gender equality through structured educational activities for students and teachers. The programme operates in more than 100 schools nationwide.

The Post-Conflict Research Center (PCRC) leads projects such as Ordinary Heroes and the Balkan Diskurs platform, which use multimedia and creative workshops to encourage tolerance, historical reconciliation, and active citizenship among youth.

Informal structures such as youth clubs within the PRONI Center for Youth Development Club Network connect young people from different communities through participatory workshops, online platforms, and local initiatives that foster social inclusion and counter exclusionary ideologies.

The Civic Education Center (CEC) is a non-governmental organization that promotes civic values through formal and informal education, personal development, and activism. Its programmes also target vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The OKC Abrasevic Cultural Center supports non-formal education, artistic initiatives, and youth social engagement through performances, workshops, media projects, and active participation in the local community.

Quality assurance/quality guidelines for non-formal learning

BiH currently lacks a standardized quality assurance mechanism for non‑formal civic learning. However, programs such as education for peace and Council of Europe-supported schools embed training evaluation and peer mentorship models to support best practices.

Educators' support

Educators across primary and secondary schools in BiH have participated in training sessions on the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture, facilitated by the Council of Europe. This initiative fosters inclusive, participatory pedagogy in regions like BD, Gorazde, and Zenica. 

The U.S.-funded civic education program also supports development of interdisciplinary curricula, teacher guides, and certification tools for K–12 civic learning.