The “Dialogue for the Future” (DFF) initiative opened a new chapter by establishing partnerships with ten local government units across Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosanska Krupa, Doboj, Glamoč, Gornji Vakuf–Uskoplje, Milići, Mostar, Stolac, Teslić, Tuzla, and Zvornik. This significant event, held at the United Nations building in Sarajevo, underscored the importance of empowering local communities as key actors in building trust and social cohesion.
The event also marked ten years of continuous work on fostering dialogue, trust, and cooperation through the DFF initiative. Launched in 2014 as a partnership between the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations, the initiative has become a cornerstone for promoting youth empowerment, gender equality, and community engagement—values that remain central to sustainable and inclusive peacebuilding efforts in the country.
“Today we are celebrating ten years of ‘Dialogue for the Future’ by signing new partnerships with ten local communities — the backbone of sustainable peace,” said Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Dialogue for the Future is one of the United Nation’s flagship programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we will continue to build on its many successes, reaffirming our commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient communities that amplify voices seeking to build trust and prosperity across the country.”
DFF3 is part of a broader initiative supported by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), a global instrument providing strategic support to countries in peacebuilding processes. This phase of the initiative is jointly implemented by UNDP in BiH, UNESCO Antenna Office in Sarajevo, and UNICEF in BiH, in close partnership with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Over the past decade, Dialogue for the Future has reached more than 600,000 individuals, including young leaders, educators, and community members. It has implemented 63 initiatives, including 19 cross-border cooperation projects fostering regional collaboration, developed policy documents in critical areas, and established 30 local dialogue platforms. Additionally, over 1,200 young people, 490 educators, and 108 journalists have been trained to promote peace and social cohesion. The program’s impact has played a key role in Bosnia and Herzegovina's eligibility for support from the Peacebuilding Fund, making it one of just 24 countries with full access to this vital resource.
The ceremony concluded with the signing of plaques and the presentation of certificates to representatives from the ten partner communities, chosen based on a thorough analysis, to actively participate in the DFF3 project. The selection process involved mapping all 145 local government units in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducting field visits to 30 communities, and assessing their needs according to clearly defined criteria.