Together with those four partner organizations, we implement participation projects and local networks in civil society in order to support the engagement in the region.
Suncokret
The organization Suncokret has been working on promoting social inclusion and peacebuilding in local communities in Vrginmost, in the remote and rural border region of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that is still shaped by ethnic divides and the lack of socioeconomic opportunities especially for the youth. To achieve their goals of including vulnerable groups, promoting active participation and empowerment, and encouraging mutual respect, Suncokret creates innovative projects for the community with the help of the community itself that mostly target youth. To strengthen local, regional, and cross-national cooperation and multiculturalism, the organization conducts international volunteer camps throughout the year.
CPS
The Centre for Peace Studies (CPS), based in Zagreb, Croatia, uses a variety of approaches to promote an inclusive and peaceful society based on solidarity. Its focus was initially on Croatia, but the group of partners supported by RBSG offers the opportunity to expand its geographic interest into the border region in Northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organisation emphasises social and economic rights in human rights discussions and interventions. CPS carries out a wide range of programmes, from research to education and capacity building. Therefore, CPS can leverage a dense network of organic partnerships, while simultaneously enhancing regional cooperation.
LEADER
Enhancing local development and civic participation in the border region of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the goals of the LEADER program. In the program, civil society stakeholders in municipalities are enabled to jointly take decisions which are financed through decentralized public funds. LEADER and Mozaik collaborate to exchange their knowledge and experience related to participatory processes and cooperation with municipal structures. Furthermore, a strategic long-term plan for action and cross-country cooperation will be established and the options to establish the well-functioning Croatian LEADER network in BiH are tested. Overall, the approach aims at involving citizens in the process of making and implementing public policies in both countries with a focus on social cohesion.
Mozaik
Mozaik has developed a grantmaking system to promote social development in local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What is special about this program is the fact that the decisionmakers are young people. By training and accompanying young people in grantmaking processes, they learn to take responsibility within their communities and experience cooperation with the municipality: Financial support for creative ideas on municipal development is granted under the precondition that the municipality joins the funding scheme. In that way, young people experience empowerment in their communities. They can contribute to fight corruption and the lack of trust in municipal authorities.