Combating discrimination, hatred and fostering inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina - phase II
Bridging the gap: A new guide for LGBTI inclusive healthcare launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Healthcare professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina now have a new resource to support more inclusive and equitable healthcare for LGBTI people. Launched in Banja Luka on 26 May, the guide Equal Access of LGBTI people to Healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides practical tools and guidance...
Civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen response to racism and discrimination
Thirty-one civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina completed a specialised training programme on combating racism and racial discrimination, strengthening their capacities to promote equality and build more inclusive public institutions. The closing gathering, held on 13 May in Tarčin, marked...
Call for expression of interest: New Project to Promote Inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina at local level
The Council of Europe is seeking four pioneer municipalities or cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina willing to work on making their local communities more inclusive, more resilient and better places to live by applying the Council of Europe’s intercultural inclusion approach. With the launch of the...
Promoting a safer public space in Bosnia and Herzegovina by recognising and preventing hate speech
Civil servants in Bosnia and Herzegovina are strengthening their ability to recognise, respond to and prevent hate speech, following a tailored training organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the BiH Civil Service Agency. The training, held in Mostar on 24-25 March, brought...
CALL FOR TENDERS: CONSULTANCY SERVICES
The Council of Europe is looking for a maximum of 30 providers (provided enough tenders meet the criteria indicated below) of local consultancy services in order to support the implementation of the Project “Combating discrimination, hatred, and fostering inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina Phase...
Cinemas across Bosnia and Herzegovina promote inclusion
CineStar cinemas across Bosnia and Herzegovina are taking part in a Council of Europe’s initiative to promote equality and inclusion. From 22 to 28 January, all eight theatres will show a simple but powerful video statement ahead of the films: “Our diversity makes us stronger”. “We go to the...
Institutions, regulators and NGOs join forces to counter hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina
35 representatives from institutions, universities, regulatory bodies, media outlets and civil society organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered on 2 December in Sarajevo for a round table dedicated to tackling hate speech - particularly in the online space where it most often takes root....
Secondary school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina tackle harmful narratives and hate speech
What happens when young people are given space to talk openly about understanding and empathy? In Zavidovići, 23 secondary school students spent two days doing exactly that - questioning harmful narratives, challenging hate speech, and exploring how their voices can help shape a more inclusive...
Creating space for understanding, support and expression in Banja Luka
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,...
Fostering interreligious dialogue in Sarajevo: Young theology students meet across faiths
Nemanja sits in the crowded hall of Hotel Europe in Sarajevo, surrounded by 47 other young people. Most of them he has never met, yet they all share the same path: studying theology - Catholic, Islamic, and Orthodox - at three different faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Students are attending...
Building bridges through faith: Standing together against anti-Semitism
In a time marked by persistent hate speech, discriminatory narratives and widening social divisions, reaffirming humanity and responsibility as shared values remains one of the strongest ways to build bridges rather than walls. This spirit guided the public discussion “Together against...
“Maybe it’s just a phase”: A community creating space for courage, dialogue and social change
On 3 November, something important for the entire community occurred in the packed auditorium of the Sarajevo War Theatre – art became a place where vulnerability is worn with dignity, where personal experiences become collective responsibility, and where silence about violence and oppression is...
Law enforcement and civil society from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions join forces against discrimination in Sarajevo
Representatives of law enforcement and civil society organisations from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions met in Sarajevo on 15 October 2025 to strengthen dialogue, build trust, and work together to combat hatred, discrimination, and racism in line with European standards. The...
Young voices take the lead: “Academy of Local Activism” empowers a new generation of changemakers
Empowering youth voices means driving real societal change. The Academy of Local Activism in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave young people the chance to learn directly from those already shaping it. The first module of the Academy, organised by the Tuzla Open Centre, took place on 18-21...
When books speak out: BiH students learn about understanding and tolerance
The most powerful lessons don’t always come from textbooks. Sometimes they come from stepping into someone else’s life. Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, 437 students from 17 primary and secondary schools discovered a different kind of library- one where books breathe, speak, and share their...
Turning pages of empathy: Stories of living books open hearts of young people to diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The “Living Library” is no ordinary bookshelf. Instead of printed pages, students meet real people - “books” who share their life experiences, challenge stereotypes, and invite dialogue. In classrooms across Bosnia and Herzegovina, five activists representing different minority groups became...
New skills available for Bosnian-Herzegovinian civil servants to protect rights of LGBTI asylum seekers
Professionals working with asylum seekers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have expanded their knowledge and skills when it comes to safeguarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) persons seeking protection in the country. A two-day workshop held in Delijaš on 16–17...
Željezničar and Borac players send a message against hate speech and violence
Football fans in Bosnia and Herzegovina witnessed something greater than the game on Monday, 15 September 2025, when FC Željezničar and FC Borac faced off in Sarajevo. Just before kick-off, the players took to the pitch with a clear message: “We are against hate and violence in sports towards...
"One Team, One Goal" football match kicks off new phase of "Block the Hatred. Share the Love!" initiative
The second phase of the European Union and Council of Europe awareness raising initiative “Block the Hatred. Share the Love! 2.0” was launched on 21 August 2025 with a children’s football tournament at the FK Sloga stadium in Vukosavlje, bringing together boys and girls from five municipalities...
Religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina unite to promote interreligious dialogue and tolerance
In a powerful show of unity, representatives of religious communities, academia, civil society, media, and international organisations from across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered on 10 May at the Orthodox Christian Žitomislić Monastery to champion interreligious dialogue and cooperation. This...
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
ECRI Homepage
Country monitoring
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Text of the Convention
Country monitoring
Complementary actions:
Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina
Previous projects:
Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2019-2022)
Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans (2019-2022)
Awareness-raising initiative
"Block the Hatred 2.0"
Awareness-raising initiative
"Block the Hatred"
Regional initiative
Local initiatives
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Factsheets
No hate speech ambassadors
Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo
Maja LUKIĆ-SCHADE
Senior Project Officer
Beti ČOLAK
Project Assistant
Council of Europe
Inclusion and Anti-discrimination
Programmes Division
