Democracy

The Heinrich Böll Foundation has been active in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1999. As a German political foundation close in its orientation to Alliance 90 / The Greens, we advocate for fundamental values such as democracy, peace and non-violence.

Because we understand ethnic and cultural diversity as an integral part of a democratic culture, we attach great importance to the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union, and in this sense we are committed to strengthening the rule of law and citizens' democratic participation the socio-political community.

Strengthening civil society, equal participation of women in social and political life, addressing the recent past and supporting democratic political dialogue are some of our key program objectives.

New

A vanishing line: the digital sphere and the increasing singularity of state and party

comment

The app"Aktiv1st" tracks the social media activity of Socialist Party members and supporters, rewarding them with points for all their likes and shares, and ranking them in a list to foster peer-to-peer competition.

By Alba Çela

More ...

Ehrengarde des Innenministeriums der Republika Srpska als Flaggenzug während der feierlichen Parade zum Tag der Republik in Banja Luka, 2019.

Misguided Balkans' policy - Dangerous appeasement

For many years, Western players have been going all out to placate the populistic-nationalist players and their destructive ideologies: yet their questionable methods of appeasement and undemocratic interventions have ended up bolstering the very powers that have come to pose a threat to peace. The way for new excesses of violence has been paved. By supporting firebrands, Russia has been able to expand its influence further – this is the Kremlin’s second front for the destabilisation of Europe.

By Marion Kraske

Public History - New Tendencies and Practices in Germany and Post-Yugoslav States

Report

The need for practitioners and history promoters to do historical work “beyond the walls of the traditional classroom” is constantly growing. One of the main takeaways from our recent study trip to Berlin is that public and open discussions about the past and remembering are crucial for building future welfare.

By Ana Radaković

Istraživačka mreža Rod i politika u jugoistočnoj Evropi (GenPolSEE)

Gender and Politics Research Network in South-East Europe (GenPolSEE)

Call for self-identified feminist researchers, working at universities, research institutes, think tanks, research NGOs and as independent scholars, holding a minimum MA degree, and coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia are kindly invited to join the GenPolSEE. Male and researchers from minority and under-represented communities are especially encouraged to apply. Interest to join the network is to be expressed by sending an email with the latest CV (incl. publication list) in English language, together with a cover letter (ca. one A4 page), elaborating your motivation, expectations and what you can contribute to the network. The expression of interest should be sent not later than 15 August 2022.

All democracy articles

Publications

Our publication series:

Who is afraid of gender?

analysis

However, the goal is not to expose or mock these organizations but rather to better understand them and gain knowledge towards: human rights promotion for everyone and identifying how to oppose the hegemonic framing strategies, representation and discursive construction of women and sexual and gender minorities proposed by anti-gender movements.

pdf

Open Balkan - a tool for avoiding principles of rule of law as a roadmap to the EU?

STATEMENT

The Western Balkans 6 Strategy Group, working under the auspices of the Heinrich Boll Stiftung, assesses the Open Balkans project as an enterprise that would adversely compete with the Berlin Process and, at the same time, lead regional integration towards an unacceptable and fragmented direction.

pdf

Position Paper On WB6

policy brief

Recommendations and expectations for German and European policy.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has direct and significant implications for the Western Balkans. The lack of a consistent and convincing EU perspective and U.S. engagement in the region opened up space for other actors and scenarios aimed at recomposing the Western Balkans as well as promoted regressive tendencies throughout the region.

pdf

People on the Move in BiH 2019-2021

This report is a follow up to Heinrich Boll Stiftung’s 2019 report People on the Move in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018: Stuck in the corridors to the EU. In the first report, we covered the situation in BiH during 2018, and how it carried on in 2019. Since we wrote the report nothing much, but at the same time a lot has changed and happened with relation to the people on the move who have continued to come to the country to this day. Unlike previous years, the majority
of people arriving are from Afghanistan.

pdf

All democracy publications