In Bosnia and Herzegovina, young people are steadily pushing back against long-held assumptions that portray their communities as disengaged or divided. They are demonstrating that building peace is rooted in grassroots realities and local action. Through the UN Peacebuilding Fund-suppported intiative, young people are stepping directly into leadership roles to bridge divides, build relationships, and strengthen the foundations for a more stable future.
To dismantle the inherited divides of the 1990s wars in the region, thousands of diverse youth were brought together for safe, cross-community encounters. For many, it was their first time meeting peers from other backgrounds, sparking genuine relationships that heal historic prejudices and weave a stronger social fabric.
Photo above and below: Theatre performance “Here and Now” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Credit: UN
Setting the stage for reconciliation
Culture often opens doors that formal dialogue cannot. The theatre performance “Here and Now” (Ovdje i Sada) has become one of the most powerful platforms for community-led dialogue.
Shaped by the lived experiences of its young cast, the play explores growing up in a post-war, divided society. It has captured moments of fear, longing, humour, and connection for a diversity of audiences across Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Serbia and Montenegro.
Alen Konjicija, ActorIn this play, I share my own story. Growing up in an ethnically mixed family and attending a divided school was difficult. Through theatre, we created an inclusive space for everyone's truth."
Cooperation through community action
Beyond the stage, environmental action is also proving to be a powerful vehicle for reconciliation and peace. In the Bosnian city of Gora?de, the “River of Peace” (Rijeka mira) Festival brought together participants through environmental, educational, and cultural activities. Organized by local authorities, highlights included a campaign to clean and stock the Drina River. Young people lead these cultural initiatives, shaping their own themes, curating activities, coordinating performances, and organizing workshops.
Ernest Imamovi?Mayor of Gora?deWe are grateful to partner with such initiatives that connect young people, promote coexistence, peace, and universal values to benefit all citizens.”
Harnessing youth creativity
Under the umbrella peacebuilding initiative, thousands of young people have led scalable, creative projects that bring people together—from designing the Odyssey of Peace educational board game to taking part in Sports for Peace competitions. New peacebuilding modules have also been integrated into formal university curricula.
With strong local ownership and continued support from international partners, this investment in collaborative peacebuilding is nurturing a generation that sees peace not as an abstract, high-level aspiration, but as a daily practice. By continuing to build trust through cooperation, creativity, and shared responsibility, young people are actively rewriting the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photo above: Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina take part in peace initiatives. Credit: UN Photo below: Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina play the “Odyssey of Peace” game. Credit: UN
Our partners in peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina
For 20 years, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund has empowered people to rebuild their communities and countries in the aftermath of conflict and crisis, working with them to build the resilience needed to prevent the recurrence of violence and secure lasting peace.
The is a regional UN Peacebuilding initiative delivered by several UN agencies and implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the with support from partners in the European Union.
UN Peacebuilding initiatives are made possible by the generous contributions of Member States and the indispensable support of implementing partners.