Bosnia and Herzegovina Resilience Initiative (BHRI) Quarterly Report (FY 2018 QIV, July 1 – September 30 2018)

The initiative focuses on increasing community resilience to radicalization and recruitment by violent extremist actors, diluting and disrupting the influence of radical narratives, and supporting institutional and community actors able to mitigate escalatory violence. BHRI's flexible, adaptive, and focused approach promotes positive interactions between local authorities and communities, mitigating the drivers of violent extremism and undermining recruitment efforts overall. During the reporting period, a total of 33 activities were under implementation across BiH, with three highlighted activities contributing to reducing the salience of divisive messaging and promoting positive interactions between local authorities and communities. The Youth Zones for Positive Environments activity supported a local secondary school students' organization in creating several youth zones around three cities, which were used for various cultural events amplifying positive messages about ethnic diversity. This activity resulted in spreading positive messages about ethnic diversity to a wider audience and softening the local pre-election polarized climate. The Amplifying Youth Voices through Community Media activity strengthened an independent community media platform to produce and broadcast positive youth-focused messaging in Zenica-Doboj Canton, a region vulnerable to radicalizing influences. By supporting a local radio station with radio production equipment, innovative journalism training sessions, and supporting the production of youth-led local media content, the activity aimed to offer alternative messaging that would have a beneficial impact on youth from the area. This activity opened up space for young voices and positive narratives to be spread in the community, allowing young people to report and discuss the issues that affect them. The Stand-Up (Comedians) Against Youth Radicalization activity infused youth-focused counter-narratives into the increasingly radical, divisive, and extreme ethno-nationalist rhetoric in the pre-election period in BiH. By supporting a highly experienced and socially engaged local youth cultural center, BHRI supported the production of a multimedia, satirical roadshow that performed in front of youth in 20 locations across BiH and broadcasted online. Following performances, the comedians hosted discussions regarding the rhetoric and behavior often exhibited by public figures, seeking feedback from the audience. This activity catered to youth by offering them fun and satirical narratives that encouraged them to think critically about societal divisions presented by political parties. Action research initiatives commenced in communities of intervention and communities of interest, providing local and contextualized understanding of potential drivers of violent extremism at the community level. These research activities looked into potential societal push and pull factors in specific communities where youth are susceptible to violent extremism and factors related to communities' gender dynamics. The findings from these research activities will provide actionable evidence for current and future program design, contributing to the development of effective strategies to mitigate violent extremism in BiH.