Fostering equality and young people involvement through cultural activities

The Bosnia and Herzegovina National Gallery implemented Blue Artism, an inclusive cultural program offering alternative digital interpretations of artworks for children aged 10–14 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The project culminated in the development of the ARTsee app, a technology-assisted educational tool featuring animated art, audio descriptions, and explanatory text. The app increases accessibility for young visitors with developmental disabilities both on-site—via QR-scanning tablets in the museum—and remotely from home.

The Balkan Museum Access Group (BMAG), formed under the Crafting Access program, is a peer-learning network that trains museum professionals in accessibility and inclusion practices. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, BMAG has facilitated interventions such as tactile museum workshops, 3D-printed exhibit models, and accessible guided tours, enhancing cultural participation for young people with disabilities. 

The UDAS Organization of Amputees of Republika Srpska operates the UDAS Art Gallery, a rare no-fee exhibition space in Southeast Europe dedicated to both disabled and non-disabled young artists. The gallery promotes social inclusion through exhibitions, creative workshops, and community art projects with a therapeutic dimension. 

Launched in early 2025, the Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality, and Trust project is funded by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peace building Fund and implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by UNFPA (with UNESCO and UN Women) in cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project promotes social inclusion, gender equality and mutual understanding among young people. It uses cultural activities, intercultural dialogue events, theater, storytelling and shared creative spaces to help young people from different communities connect and build trust. Since its inception, thousands of youths have taken part in theater productions, festivals, workshops and cross-community activities designed to foster constructive narratives and reduce interethnic divisions.

The Y-Peer network in Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by UNFPA, fosters peace building and intercultural dialogue among young people through structured training, inclusive workshops and creative communication activities. The initiative works with educational institutions and civil society to integrate intercultural dialogue and socioemotional learning into formal and non-formal youth activities, contributing to young people’s self-confidence, self-esteem and participation in cultural and social environments.

Numerous cultural festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina provide inclusive spaces where young people can engage in creative activities, share perspectives and collaborate across social divides, promoting equality and social cohesion. Notable ones are the Peace Vibe Festival and Pop Art Festival in Sarajevo, as well as Demofest in Banja Luka.

Despite a scarcity of public funding and institutional support, many cultural and inclusion projects are sustained through international cooperation. Key financial and organizational resources for festivals, workshops, and intercultural engagement are primarily provided by international mechanisms, including UN-led peace building funds and various EU-supported programs.

Combating discrimination and poverty through cultural activities

Projects supported by the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as “Bridges of Herzegovina”, promote social cohesion by engaging young people from diverse backgrounds in collaborative cultural heritage and artistic activities. These initiatives help bridge ethnic divides, foster pride in shared cultural heritage and counter narratives of exclusion.

The Inclusive Youth: Art for Impact project, supported by the International Višegrad Fund and implemented with partner organizations including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, uses artistic methods and non-formal education to empower youth from diverse and marginalized backgrounds, including minorities and socio-economically vulnerable groups, to develop activist community projects. These activities foster creative advocacy, strengthen inclusive narratives and help young people use art to raise awareness of social issues.

Local Communities for Social Cohesion project, implemented by TPO Foundation in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), uses creative educational activities, including comic-making workshops with school children and young refugees, to build empathy, promote tolerance and reduce discrimination in local communities.

The Mozaik Foundation runs “YouthBank and Startup Studio” programs with the support of the Swiss Cooperation Program. These initiatives have funded over 2,000 youth-led projects and 240 micro-enterprises, fostering civic participation, identity formation, and economic inclusion among marginalized youth.

Juventafest is an annual international youth theater festival in Sarajevo. It combines creative performance with discussions on social issues such as identity, discrimination, mental health, and human rights. The festival’s workshops, masterclasses, and performances amplify marginalized voices and encourage cultural participation.

Youth Leadership for Social Cohesion is a cross-border EU project supported under the EU Cross-border Program.  This initiative brought together nearly 14,000 youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Through workshops, cultural events, and exchanges, the project fostered leadership, social cohesion, and European values, bridging divisions across communities.

Funding and institutional support for these initiatives is primarily driven by international development resources and the UN Peace building Fund, often facilitated through partnerships with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While public funding remains limited, local cultural budgets occasionally provide essential co-financing for community arts activities aimed at diversifying participation and fostering social inclusion.