United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the United Nations' primary instrument for supporting peacebuilding globally, has played a vital role in advancing peace and reconciliation worldwide. Established as part of the United Nations' Peacebuilding Architecture, the PBF invests in prevention and peacebuilding, in partnership with the wider UN system, national and subnational authorities, civil society organizations, regional organizations and multilateral banks.  The Fund works across pillars and supports integrated UN responses to fill critical gaps; respond quickly and with flexibility to peacebuilding opportunities; and catalyze processes and resources in a risk-tolerant fashion.

Funding Mechanisms

The PBF operates through two primary funding mechanisms:

1. Immediate Response Facility (IRF) is designed to respond to immediate peacebuilding and recovery funding for targeted projects a maximum budget of $3 million. All countries are eligible.
2. Peacebuilding and Recovery Facility (PRF) supports longer-term peacebuilding processes for countries that have been declared eligible by the Secretary General for PBF support, in response to government requests. PRF Project durations can be up to 36 months across a five-year eligibility window.

Partners and Contributors

The work of the Peacebuilding Fund is possible thanks to the generous contributions by public and private sector partners. Since its inception in 2006, the PBF has approved over USD 1.9 billion in funding for projects in more than 60 countries thanks to generous voluntary contributions from over 60 UN member states. More info in the PBF Donor Commitments and Pledge Tracker.

PBF Eligibility in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In November 2022, the United Nations Secretary-General granted Bosnia and Herzegovina eligibility to access funding from the PBF, following a formal request from the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This five-year eligibility allows Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive support for initiatives that empower local voices, particularly women and youth, to strengthen inclusive and sustainable peace across the country. This eligibility also enables Bosnia and Herzegovina, through United Nations agencies and eligible CSOs, to submit proposals for additional funding opportunities and engage more actively in global peacebuilding platforms such as the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in New York. 

The PBF has become a cornerstone of the United Nations peacebuilding efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, driving transformative initiatives that align with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021–2025 and country’s EU accession priorities, particularly Key Priority 5, which focuses on promoting reconciliation and overcoming the legacies of conflict. At the heart of the PBF’s vision is the principle of local ownership, ensuring that peacebuilding efforts are rooted in the active participation and empowerment of domestic actors, including government institutions, civil society, victims and survivors, youth, and women.  

Focus

The PBF’s work in Bosnia and Herzegovina is guided by three key thematic pillars:

1. Improving Trust Within and Between Communities: Promoting positive interactions, inclusive dialogue, and intergenerational trauma healing to foster mutual understanding and respect.
2. Strengthening Inter-Community and Inter-Entity Engagement: Enhancing responsive, inclusive, and transparent service delivery by authorities, particularly in education, culture, and the environment.
3. Dealing with the Past: Supporting truth-seeking, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence, with a focus on the dignity and rights of survivors of wartime violations.

Key PBF Initiatives in BiH

The PBF currently supports six active projects implemented by United Nations agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Women, and IOM) in partnership with the government, as well as two projects lead by civil society organizations (BIRN and the War Childhood Museum).

1. Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality, and Trust (Regional Project)
2. Sustaining Peace and Social Cohesion in BiH (SPSC)
3. Dialogue for the Future – Phase Three (DFF3)
4. Women Lead the Way Towards Peace and Security in BiH (WPS)
5. PEACESTORY: Empowering Creative Peacebuilders and Educators
6. Building Long Lasting Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Investment in the Future