Together #MožemoBolje: The Power of Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The vision and desire for a better present and a prosperous future exist in all of us. This shared path towards our goal is not only reflected in economic growth and development or the quest for a fairer society but also in the strong connections we create within and between our communities. However, in this moment, the daily lives of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina are increasingly burdened by economic instability, political disagreements, historical legacies, and social inequalities.

We believe that communities that focus on building strong local partnerships and supporting proactive citizens can overcome these challenges. At the core of such communities lie mutual understanding, respect, and a high degree of trust. We have demonstrated that, when faced with difficulties, we are ready to provide selfless support to our neighbouring communities and beyond. Even amid multiple challenges, these practices are being carried out steadily by many local governments and a significant part of our communities.

It is necessary that we engage with equal strength and dedication in building peace and cohesion. Our unwavering commitment to peace and trust extends beyond rhetoric to concrete actions and initiatives. Whether we organize joint events, improve infrastructure, share best practices, collaborate on projects, share resources, encourage cultural exchanges, or create places of encounter, we overcome divisions, mistrust, and fear, fostering and nurturing a more cohesive society for all.

Nevertheless, our efforts alone are not enough. We need to create a sense of belonging in local communities and continuously encourage a culture of constructive dialogue, resulting in the creation and execution of a common vision. This is essential for a more stable and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must remember that sustained and proactive efforts toward the inclusion of socially sensitive groups, especially national minorities and returnees, and the establishment of strategic partnerships are crucial steps that must be made.

Genuine, long-lasting, and sustainable peace and trust require the collective commitment of all actors, including government institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and citizens. Through positive cooperation between civil society and public authorities, we can ensure that the voices, priorities, challenges, and needs of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are heard and addressed. This approach ensures that day by day, week by week, and month by month, we all contribute to strengthening trust and generating a positive environment across the country.

Moreover, public attention should be guided to everyday positive stories that reflect how people of different backgrounds help each other and work together to achieve common goals. We create and witness these stories daily.

Political discourse that generates and encourages fear, mistrust, and hate must stop and should not be echoed in the public domain. In our daily interactions with community members, it has become evident that individuals from all nationalities have grown weary of this pervasive negativity. Consequently, our country is losing entire families who seek a more peaceful and secure environment, offering better opportunities.

Together, we work every day to ensure that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina - especially our younger generations - choose to stay, live, and raise families in their own cities, towns, and villages. We are already creating communities that are doing their best to ensure that every individual is supported. We welcome everyone to join us in building a brighter present and a fairer, more inclusive future for ourselves and for generations to come. They expect no less from us as parents and leaders.

Together #MožemoBolje!

This is a joint message of partner communities engaged in the "Empowering Trust and Cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Communities - MOŽEMO BOLJE" project: Municipality of Bosanski Petrovac, Municipality of Čelić, City of Doboj, Municipality of Gornji Vakuf - Uskoplje, City of Goražde, Municipality of Jablanica, Municipality of Jajce, Municipality of Kakanj, Municipality of Kalesija, Municipality of Lopare, Municipality of Maglaj, Municipality of Prozor-Rama, Municipality of Sapna, Municipality of Teočak, Municipality of Teslić, Municipality of Tešanj, Municipality of Ugljevik, Municipality of Vareš, Municipality of Žepče.

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