Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina
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...
Zavidovići youth stands against hate
“Young people will inherit the world and we are here to deliver change.” These are the words of Hana Marušić, a young person from Zavidovići who took part in a street action on 21 May 2026 promoting inclusion, solidarity and social cohesion. Organised under the slogan Zavidovići youth stands...
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...
Bihać residents and people on the move join forces for community clean-up ahead of Earth Day
In the run-up to Earth Day, residents and people on the move came together in Bihać to clean public spaces, turning a simple environmental action into a message of solidarity and inclusion. Organised on 19 April across several locations in the city, the clean-up brought together communities that...
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...
Strengthening institutional responses to counter hate speech in Brčko District
Civil servants, representatives of civil society and media in Brčko District strengthened their understanding of how to recognise and address hate speech during a two-day training workshop on 19-20 February 2026 in Teslić. Organised by the Government of Brčko District with the support of the...
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...
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...
United Against Hate: Strengthening Law Enforcement to Combat Discrimination
The regional workshop “Police Operating in Diverse Societies: Addressing Hatred Against Ethnic and Religious Minorities” held in Durres, Albania on 3-4 June, underscored the commitment of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the regional partners to combat all forms of hatred and...
Young European Ambassadors unite across borders to counter hatred and promote equality
A two-day workshop held on 2-3 June in Tirana brought together 55 Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The participants included 40 young ambassadors who joined online and 15 who attended in person. This event aimed to improve their abilities to...
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...
Finding safety and hope: One year of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first LGBTI shelter
"My stay at the shelter during the summer of 2024 truly changed my life. At the beginning of that year, I lost my independence. I was in an environment that did not support me, and looking back now, I realise I was searching for a way out. At a panel discussion, I heard an anonymous letter from a...
Youth in Ilijaš learn how to recognise and combat hate speech
As many as 239 students from four primary schools in the Ilijaš Municipality have learned how to recognize and oppose hate speech and discrimination through interactive workshops and lectures. This educational program, implemented by the Association “Education Builds Bosnia and Herzegovina –...
New research sheds light on impact of hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Two publications on the latest research into the nature and impact of hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina, developed under the European Union and Council of Europe’s joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” were presented today in Sarajevo. The comprehensive...
Reaffirmed support for LGBTI people in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Today representatives from the Council of Europe and the Embassy of Norway paid a visit to NGO “Krila nade” (Wings of Hope) that operates an LGBTI shelter in Sarajevo, in order to underscore their continued commitment to advancing inclusion and protecting the rights of marginalised communities....
Creating a society of tolerance and inclusion through sports: "Football against discrimination and hate speech"
Fair play starts at the court and lasts a lifetime. This is the overall conclusion of the tournament within the project of the Canton Sarajevo Football Association "Football against discrimination and hate speech" that took place at the Sport Centre "Sobol" in Hotonj, which was held on November...
Previous actions:
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"
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
Joint programme
Horizontal Facility