A More Equitable Society: Promoting Social Cohesion and Diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dialogue for the Future II)

Start & End Date: 2018-2019

Country/Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Multilateral Institution(s) Involved: United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, United Nations Children's Emergency Fund, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

DFF 2 was implemented 23 years after the Dayton Peace Agreement, which concluded hostilities and established the post-war constitutional architecture. Over the period since the peace agreement, BiH has stabilised into a divided polity, with territorial organisation and constitutional structures that reflect the ethnic divisions created by the conflict. As a result, there are widespread concerns that the post-war generation has grown up in a polarized environment and is vulnerable to mobilisation along ethno-nationalist lines.

"The project aimed to promote dialogue and joint problem-solving among different groups at the local and state-level in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to promote collaboration, trust and social cohesion. DFF 2 aimed to bring together citizens from different groups and local authorities into a series of dialogue platforms, at both local and state levels, to identify common problems and develop common solutions. This was intended to promote inter-group collaboration and build trust among constitutional ethnic groups. The project consisted of a complex workplan of activities, organised broadly into four areas: 1. Capacity building for civil society representatives on dialogue, advocacy and other topics related to social cohesion 2. The establishment of dialogue platforms in 27 locations and at the Bosna-i-Hercegovina (BiH)-level 3. A small-grants facility that provided grants to government institutions, nongovernmental organisation (NGOs) and individuals on a matching funds basis to support projects that promote dialogue, cooperation and social cohesion 4. A public information campaign and other activities with traditional and social media."

"One outcome in the result framework was a change in the perceptions of communities in project municipalities as to whether there have been increases in (i) collaboration across ethnic groups, (ii) collaboration among young people, (iii) interaction between communities and their local representatives, and (iv) trust between communities and their local representatives. These were measured by the baseline and endline survey, as compared to changes in three control municipalities. The target results were achieved for all four indicators. However, for three of the indicators, the improvement was slightly higher in the control municipalities than in the project municipalities, calling into question whether the results observed were in fact a result of the project. Furthermore, the programme succeeded to some extent in promoting dialogue among different groups at the BiH level, but was not successful at increasing interaction between young people, local authorities and members of the BiH Presidency. Moreover, the project did succeed in putting out an alternative narrative around tolerance of diversity through social media. Its flagship communications initiative was the campaign Biraj Rijeci, or Choose Your Words, on avoiding hate speech. It took the form of a rap song made up of messages contributed by young people to a social media campaign. The use of popular music to advance the message was innovative and continues to be effective beyond the life of the project, as the song continues to be performed live and on radio. In addition, U-Report has emerged as a useful additional platform for young people to express their views on social issues."