Through this project, USAID works to build cooperation among youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and empowers young citizens and political leaders to take decisive action against threats to reconciliation.

USAID ASSISTANCE

Launched in November 2018, USAID’s “Be the Inspiration” project empowers and mobilizes youth to be a force for reconciliation and improve mutual understanding throughout BiH. Its two main objectives are to foster reconciliation efforts among youth in BiH at a cross-community level and empower youth groups to conduct a variety of public campaigns that counter ethnic-divisive rhetoric at both the local and national levels. USAID’s implementing partner for this 1½-year, $1.5 million project is the National Democratic Institute, with core local partners Youth Initiative for Human Rights and Infohouse Association

IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS

The project fosters a people-to-people approach by facilitating group activities for youth from diverse backgrounds within BiH and neighboring countries. These joint activities will focus on shared values and build cross-community cooperation. The program will engage students and young politicians in both schools and university faculties. Activities will encourage discussion to address divisive issues and sensitive topics dealing with ethnicity without defining it in a partisan manner.