Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina
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...
Safer environment for LGBTI communities in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership: Exploring strategies towards safer spaces and services
Activists and representatives from institutions and civil society across the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions gathered in Sarajevo on 5-7 November 2024 to explore solutions for addressing discrimination and abuse faced by the LGBTI persons in these regions, and specifically how to...
Combating hatred in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Union and the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Rijaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised a series of two-day capacity-building events in October aimed at reducing and protecting from hate speech and hate crimes in local communities. Initiated by...
New platform for reporting violence against LGBTI persons
A new website, stopmrznji.ba, has been launched as a crucial tool for reporting hate crimes and hate speech against LGBTI individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This platform provides vital information and contacts for those who have experienced violence due to their sexual orientation or gender...
Free psychological support: A key to living authentically
"When I first consulted a psychologist, I felt lost. I couldn't openly talk about my feelings with anyone around me. I felt like I was suffocating in my own thoughts. Free psychological support was my only way out. Through conversations with a psychologist, I began to understand my feelings and...
Towards reducing discrimination in sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina
In an effort to promote respect and diversity in sports, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised a workshop in Sarajevo on October 4. The workshop aimed at reducing homophobia and transphobia in sports...
Empowering mental health professionals on LGBTIQ counselling approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
As part of the "Empower and Embrace" project, supported by EU and Council of Europe, the Centre for Psychological Support Sensus concluded the capacity building initiative on "Gender, Identity, and Sexuality" in Mostar and Foča, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 17 mental health professionals had the...
Combating Hate Speech and Discrimination through Education in the Municipality of Ilijaš
In the efforts to address hate speech and fight discrimination in the local communities of Ilijas in Bosnia and Herzegovina the initiative “Countering hate speech in the Municipality of Ilijaš” was successfully concluded. This initiative supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe...
Promoting a culture of dialogue in Banja Luka, to prevent hate speech on the internet
The City of Banja Luka hosted on 9 to 10 July a capacity building activity dedicated to the important topic of preventing hate speech on the internet and promoting a positive use of social media. The event organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe brought together 35 participants...
Fighting hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region
A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions. The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives...
Addressing racism and racial discrimination in the context of the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership region
The Council of Europe in Strasbourg welcomed during 3-4 July a two-day conference, focusing on tackling racism and racial discrimination in the context of the EU accession process. The conference, supported by EU and Council of Europe titled "Addressing racism and racial discrimination in the...
First round of training for civil servants of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognise and tackle hate speech
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised on the mountain Jahorina the first training for 26 civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. This training, that took place on 8 and 9 July...
Role of religion in promoting human rights: how can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech?
The European Union and the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised on 17-18 May on Jahorina a discussion with the title How can religion and religious communities contribute to combating hate speech. This activity...
Online course on hate speech now available for civil servants of Bosnia and Herzegovina and as an open source to public
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Agency) with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, launched in April 2024 the first online course for civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. The course, based on an earlier developed Manual,...
Equal rights for all: European Union and Council of Europe support opening of first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European Union and the Council of Europe have provided a grant to the Wings of Hope Foundation from Sarajevo, for the opening of the first LGBTI shelter in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shelter is open to LGBTI victims of domestic violence from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who need a...
Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination: a new resource for police trainers in the Western Balkans
The Manual for police education on equality & non-discrimination translated into local languages of the Western Balkans is finally out and available for download. Law enforcement plays a key role in combating racism and racial discrimination, and in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule...
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
Project Officer
Beti ČOLAK
Project Assistant
Council of Europe
Inclusion and Anti-discrimination
Programmes Division
Joint programme
Horizontal Facility