Around 70 community members took part in creative workshops and public discussions in Banja Luka organised by the Association of Independent Artists and Activists Ghetto, with support from the Council of Europe. Held throughout October and November, the events aimed to create space for dialogue, understanding and meaningful reflection.

Understanding violence through dialogue

At the public discussion “Security and dignity: Women and vulnerable groups faced with challenges of harassment and violence,” participants confronted one of the most persistent yet least reported forms of discrimination: violence and harassment against women and vulnerable groups.

Gorica Ivić, Head of the NGO Udružene žene, and legal expert Izabela Marković explained how protection mechanisms work and why early recognition matters. Their message was clear: understanding begins with honest conversation. They encouraged participants to speak up, recognise patterns around them, and support those affected.

This dialogue also led to an immediate outcome. Participants committed to creating a members-only support group for women, a confidential space built on trust and solidarity where women can share experiences, seek guidance and strengthen one another.

Responsible storytelling: reporting on persons on the move

A second discussion, “Challenges when reporting on persons on the move,” focused on how media shape public perception. Journalists Milkica Milojević and Ljiljana Smiljanić spoke about the pressures, dilemmas and stereotypes that influence reporting on migrants and refugees. The session was moderated by activist Jugoslav Jevđić. It highlighted that, aside from informing, journalism also carries a responsibility to humanise stories.

Creativity as a pathway to connection

Alongside discussions, a series of creative workshops invited participants to explore identity, critical thinking and social issues through artistic expression. Under the banners “Chasing the Rainbow” and “Being a Queer Person in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” participants unpacked themes such as misogyny, homophobia, environmental responsibility and hate speech in ways that felt personal and accessible.

Artist Tajana Starović Dedić offered insights into creative processes and critical reflection; writer Tanja Stupar Trifunović guided participants through the craft of storytelling; artist Goran Kezija encouraged expression through colour, form and emotion; and environmental artist Katarina Borojević used recycled materials to spark conversations about responsibility.

These sessions helped participants understand themselves and each other through shared creation. One outcome continued well beyond the workshop. A creative writing teaching group kept meeting at the Social and Cultural Centre Incel and later held a public performance showcasing participants’ work and experiences to the community.

A community deepening its understanding

Across all activities, there was a shared thread of people meeting one another openly, learning from direct experiences and recognising the realities faced by vulnerable individuals and groups. Artistic expression gave marginalised voices new visibility. Dialogue created pathways for empathy. And community-led initiatives - from the women’s support group to the ongoing writing circle - built foundations for mutual support and understanding.

These gatherings showed that when people create the space to listen and express themselves freely, they do more than share experiences. They strengthen the social fabric that holds communities together.

The series of discussions and workshops was supported by the Council of Europe through its project “Combating discrimination, hate, and racism in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” which is implemented under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.