After months of dedicated work, young volunteers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the results of their engagement to the judicial and law enforcement professional community - an innovative online catalogue of confiscated assets developed in cooperation with the UNODC, the Federal Agency for the Management of Confiscated Assets (FAZUOI), and the Tech Volunteers for Resilience (Tech4R) initiative supported by the International Centre for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD). However, the story behind this digital tool goes far beyond its presentation.The Tech for Resilience initiative, co-led by UNV and UNDP’s Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development, demonstrates how tech talent can make a meaningful impact in a short time.Over the course of several months, dedicated UN Volunteers worked closely with FAZUOI to better understand the complex process of managing confiscated assets. Their engagement extended well beyond desk work; team leaders visited various locations of confiscated properties in Sarajevo, gaining first-hand insight into how these assets are identified, managed, and repurposed.These field visits were complemented by a series of coordination meetings with institutional partners, where volunteers collaborated with experts to ensure that the data collected was accurate, structured, and meaningful. Through this process, they not only strengthened the technical backbone of the catalogue but also developed a deeper understanding and contributed to the transparency and accountability in public asset management. The result of this joint effort is a user-friendly, interactive digital catalogue that provides a clear overview of confiscated assets, including their current use, general location, characteristics, and estimated value. By making this information more accessible, the platform contributes to a better understanding of how the fight against organized crime and corruption materializes in the confiscation of criminal proceeds, and how these assets can be socially reused. To highlight the significance of the initiative, UN Volunteers shared their perspectives on the impact of the project. The initiative brought together skilled UN Volunteers to put their expertise into action. One of them is Naila Delić. “This was a unique opportunity, as I find that the development of this catalogue is an important step forward in strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of confiscated assets, and that it encourages citizens to have more trust in government institutions. I gained valuable experience and had the joy of using my computer science degree for the progress in my community,” said Naila.Her colleague, Alija Karavelić, also emphasized the importance of youth engagement in such initiatives: “Involving young people volunteering and working in projects like this is the perfect way to kickstart a career and replace the fear of 'not being ready' with genuine professional confidence. Also, projects like these are giving opportunities for youngsters to meet seniors and professionals from whom they can learn and get the advice needed to be successful. I am especially grateful to our organizers for letting us work independently and giving us the space to lead and prove our competence with mentorship, coordination, and support.” At the ceremonial presentation in Neum, the UN Volunteers were awarded certificates of appreciation by the director of FAZUOI, Emir Bašić, and UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, Arnhild Spence, in recognition of their contribution to this important project. This further highlighted the importance of involving young people through initiatives such as Tech4R, which, through innovation and digital solutions, contribute to strengthening the transparency of public institutions and building more resilient societies. 

This progress has not been easy. Before the war, only two female directors in Bosnia and Herzegovina — Vesna Ljubić and Suada Kapić — made feature films. Today, a growing number of women filmmakers are achieving notable success both in the country and internationally — from Oscar nominations to screenings and awards at prestigious festivals in Venice, Cannes, Berlin and Locarno.More importantly, film in Bosnia and Herzegovina has become a space where women can express themselves freely and contribute to addressing overlooked societal issues. As award-winning film director Aida Begić points out, this progress is the result of a long-term struggle.“It is the result of years of work, effort and success of all of us who, decades ago, courageously entered a space dominated by men. Although the struggle continues, attitudes toward women in the industry and the arts are changing for the better.”This shift is also visible among younger generations. More and more young women are entering the industry — not only as directors, screenwriters and producers, but also as cinematographers, editors and students of audiovisual arts.The Association of Filmmakers has also noted a rise in the number of women and their influence in the profession. Through projects focused on student film, they are seeing an increasing number of young female filmmakers achieving notable results both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and at international festivals, addressing themes relevant to young women in contemporary society.Films as drivers of positive changeIn a society where women’s perspectives on history often remain unheard, films that address complex issues such as war from a female perspective carry particular value. Many women filmmakers have sparked public discussions on topics that were both necessary and difficult to address.“The first film that initiated a change in the law on civilian victims of war was ‘Grbavica’ by Jasmila Žbanić,” says Aida Begić.Asja Krsmanović, Head of CineLink at the Sarajevo Film Festival, also emphasizes the importance of this film not only for cinema in the country but for society as a whole. It sparked a broad public debate about the consequences of wartime sexual violence and the rights of survivors and their children, triggering a sustained campaign which, years later, led to changes to the law recognizing children born because of wartime sexual violence as a distinct category of civilian victims of war. As she notes, the impact of film is not always direct, but it is profound:“A film cannot directly change things, but it can be a tool of influence, encouraging the public to start thinking about a particular issue, and it can restore dignity to those who have survived tragedies. It can also open dialogue that is far more nuanced than media discourse and far more accessible than academic debate about issues that shape certain societies and that they must confront,” says Krsmanović.Aida Begić notes that several other films followed, dealing with the immediate consequences of the war and the challenges women face in peacetime. In her film Snow, she explores patriarchal norms and women’s role in sustaining communities in the absence of men; Elma Tataragić’s The Happiest Man in the World addresses confrontation and forgiveness; and Una Gunjak’s debut Excursion examines the stigmatization of female sexuality and peer violence among schoolchildren.However, Melina Alagić from the Association of Film Workers says that we still live in a highly patriarchal society, and that art should point to problems and bring about change.“In that sense, we need more films that speak about the position of women in our society.” Awards as a boost for women filmmakersDespite these successes, challenges remain. Like many sectors, the film industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces financial instability, which poses a major challenge for many women working in this area. A sector that once symbolized social prestige and offered stable working conditions now brings significant uncertainty. For most, filmmaking is not their primary occupation. Instead, they rely on other jobs, such as teaching or commercial projects, to secure their livelihoods, explains Asja Krsmanović. She also notes that this instability paradoxically creates more opportunities for women:“That may also be one of the reasons why the field is becoming less attractive to men, while more women are managing to establish themselves within it. It is important to view this in the context. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a highly unstable film industry, yet in such an industry women are achieving outstanding results.” In this context, awards that recognize effort and provide financial support are particularly important, as they also encourage women filmmakers to continue their work. As part of the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Female Voices award supports the development of projects by women filmmakers from around the world. At last year’s festival, the grant was awarded to Turkish filmmaker Zeynep Köprülü for the project Rain Country. Aida Begić, who was member of the jury, notes that such awards help films stand out and facilitate future financing, which is especially important in a time of hyperproduction.“Awards that include financial support are particularly valuable, because without some of them many films would never see the light of day,” Begić says.In addition, the “Amira Lekić” award, established by the Association of Filmmakers, supports emerging women filmmakers through grants and mentorship. Last year’s recipient, producer Lara Grozdanić, highlights how proud she is for that moment in her career as well as how important this support is for her professional development:“I am currently writing my first screenplay, so one of the key goals of the mentorship is to develop my screenwriting skills alongside my career as a producer. I know my mentor, Adis Đapo, very well, as we have collaborated for five years on various projects through the Association ‘Sarajevo Center for Contemporary Art – pro.ba’. That is why this mentorship is particularly valuable to me – he knows my work so far, my strengths and weaknesses, and understands in which aspects of my professional development I still need to work on.” The initiative “Women Lead the Way to Peace and Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA and IOM with the support of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), has been supporting these awards. Edita Miftari, WPS Programme Specialist at UN Women, explains why supporting women artists is an important part of the initiative:“In Bosnia and Herzegovina, many topics remain very difficult to talk about, even though they are essential for reconciliation and healing. Art creates space to overcome such barriers and gives a voice to women who have long been unheard. Through the Women, Peace and Security agenda, we believe that artistic projects can contribute to social change while also supporting the individual development of those involved in the creative process.”Engaging in art is a privilege, and working in film does not mean doing it only for today, but also for the future. Film is also a document of its time that will allow someone a hundred years from now to better understand how we live today, what occupies our daily lives, what shapes the way we live and how we deal with it, says Asja Krsmanović.“That is why it is important for women to work in film today, and why they should be supported, despite all the discouraging factors that we as a profession collectively have to face,” she concludes.

In late 2025, a gathering of women and religious officials from different communities took place in Vareš to discuss a sensitive but important issue — how to provide better support to survivors of wartime sexual violence, particularly in addressing the stigma that continues to follow them.Three decades after the war, many survivors still face judgment, silence and social exclusion. Research conducted in 2016 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina shows that survivors — most often women but also men — continue to live with the consequences of social condemnation, marginalization and feelings of shame. Such attitudes deepen isolation and often discourage survivors from speaking about their experiences or seeking support.Changing this environment requires more than formal policies and commitments — it also calls for engagement within communities themselves, particularly from those whose voices carry trust and influence.Among them are religious leaders.Recognizing their role in shaping community attitudes, faith communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have already taken steps to address stigma. In 2017, with the support of UNFPA, the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a Declaration condemning the stigmatization of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and emphasizing the responsibility of religious communities to be spaces of acceptance rather than judgment.Yet, as participants in Vareš noted, stigma is often reinforced through everyday attitudes and interactions — precisely where beliefs are formed and where they can gradually begin to change.It was in this context that the discussion in Vareš was organized as part of one of the initiatives supported by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) — “Women Lead the Way to Peace and Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA and IOM in cooperation with the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Through this initiative, local actors are encouraged to open dialogue on issues that are often difficult to discuss but are essential for building more inclusive and resilient communities.For many participants, simply coming together and discussing these issues was an important first step, creating space for conversations that rarely take place publicly.One of the participants, Fra Mirko Majdančić, Parish Priest of Brestovsko Parish, emphasized that the role of religious leaders is not to impose solutions but to help reconnect people within their communities.“The task of religious officials is to build bridges, strengthen the community and create connections among people.”He noted that religious communities play an important role because many people link their identity and sense of belonging to them. At the same time, he pointed to the limits of that influence. Confronting stigma — particularly when it comes to conflict-related sexual violence — is a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.Fra Mirko stresses that empathy must be the starting point:“If we want to help, we must approach that person as if she were our sister, mother or child.”For Ramiz ef. Zubača, Chief Imam of the Islamic Community of Vareš, the discussion also highlighted the responsibility of religious leaders as trusted figures within their communities. In his view, faith can play a constructive role when it is used to support survivors rather than judge them.“Faith should be a source of strength and encouragement to help and protect those who survived violence.”Through sermons, counselling and everyday engagement with community members, religious leaders can influence how communities respond — either reinforcing stigma or helping to overcome it.The gathering in Vareš is part of a wider series of local dialogues supported through this Peacebuilding Fund initiative, aimed at encouraging open conversations on issues that are often difficult to address.By bringing together religious leaders, women and community representatives, these discussions help challenge silence around wartime sexual violence and promote greater understanding and solidarity with survivors.As participants in Vareš emphasized, meaningful change begins when communities themselves take part in confronting difficult legacies of the past and creating space for dignity and support.

Women are behind much of the food production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An estimated 60-80 per cent of food on the tables in Bosnia and Herzegovina goes through their hands, yet much of their work remains invisible and undervalued. When women’s contributions to the economy are not formally recognized, they risk exclusion from the agriculture subsidies, financing opportunities, and essential investments in farming. To address this gap, UN Women partnered with several institutions from late 2022 to 2026 to integrate gender criteria into public agricultural grant programmes, ensuring rural women farmers have equitable access to economic and environmental justice.  From isolation to one of the largest farms in the Kakanj municipalityOn a seven-acre farm above the town of Kakanj in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, Svjetlana Šolbić manages the largest organic greenhouse production in her municipality. Originally from Sarajevo, she moved to Kakanj 15 years ago after getting married. Together with her husband, she bought several small parcels of land and gradually built their farm into their family’s primary source of income.With no previous agricultural experience, she and her husband learned everything on their own. “While I am focused on growing vegetables, my husband handles heavy fieldwork and sells our production at the local and neighbouring markets,” the farmer says.Svjetlana Šolbić grows peppers and tomatoes in greenhouses, and potatoes and wheat outdoors. She also keeps 15 cows with calves and is considering expanding into sheep farming. Until recently, she maintained nearly 30 beehives, until two harsh winters and a bear attack destroyed the apiary. The remoteness of the farm is both an asset and a challenge. It provides the perfect conditions for organic farming, far from pollution and intensive farming. However, isolation also meant limited access to information about public agricultural grants.“For years, that isolation also meant limited access to information about subsidy opportunities,” Svjetlana Šolbić explains.Modest investments, major changes for women farmers Through the Sweden-funded Women Driving Resilience in Agriculture and Rural Areas (RW) programme, UN Women and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborated with entity-level ministries to introduce gender-sensitive criteria into public agricultural grants. These changes ensured that eligibility and scoring systems better reflected the realities faced by women farmers.The programme also strengthened cooperation with municipal agricultural departments, improving outreach to women farmers in remote communities.  In this regard, Svjetlana Šolbić is one of the women farmers who benefited from a public agricultural grant that helped her expand and upgrade her farm. Thanks to the financial support,  she acquired three 10,000-litre water tanks to secure irrigation during dry periods, a solar-powered electric fence to protect her land from wildlife, and improved watering systems for her cattle. “These investments will help us to protect our production from wildlife damage and strengthen our resilience. They allow us to plan, not just respond to problems,” noted the farmer. “As part of the programme design, monitoring visits were conducted even for smaller grants, amounts that would not normally require field verification. Ministry representatives later noted that visiting farms provided valuable insight into how even modest investments can create meaningful improvements for households and rural communities,” said Šemsa Alić, UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Under the revised subsidy programmes, 56 rural women farmers across the country received approximately USD 270,000 in public investment grants, ranging from USD 2,700 to USD 5,400, according to UN Women data. These grants supported investments such as irrigation systems, greenhouse modernization, livestock infrastructure, and other equipment that boost productivity and climate resilience.