Depending on the needs and priorities of the beneficiaries concerned, work in this area concentrates on support to ombudspersons’ institutions, inclusive education (addressing racism, bullying, segregation and extremism in the education system), addressing trafficking in human beings (with a focus on assistance to victims of trafficking), countering discrimination against national minorities and/or when based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Tarcin, Bosnia and Herzegovina 13 May 2026
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Civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen response to racism and racial discrimination

Thirty-one civil servants from institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina completed specialised training on combating racism and racial discrimination, strengthening capacities to promote equality and build more inclusive public institutions.

The closing gathering, held on 13 May in Tarčin, marked the completion of the first cycle of the online course “Combating Racism and racial Discrimination”, launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2026. The course is based on the ECRI General Policy Recommendation No. 7 and the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan and translated to local languages. Participants who successfully completed the course received certificates during the event.

Civil servants were coming from various professional backgrounds: Institution of Ombudsperson, Regulatory Agency for Communications, Ministries of Interiors, academy and school for the education of the law enforcement, Press Council, Agencies for Civil Servants, etc.

In addition to reflecting to the course, participants exchanged views on ways to strengthen responses to racism and contribute to more inclusive and resilient society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On final notes, participant Olja Papaz from the Agency for Civil Servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina stated: “This course was developed brilliantly in a professional and technical sense. It provided me with a lot of information and opportunities to gain knowledge, as well as to raise awareness of phenomena in everyday life, in my environment. I hope that this initiative will be continued, in order to create a better society.”

This activity was organised within the action “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina” as part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, as well as within the project “Combating Discrimination, Hatred and Fostering Inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II”, financed through a voluntary contribution under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026–2029.

actions under theme iii: combating discrimination
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Albania    
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Quality education for all in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Kosovo* 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Montenegro 
  • Quality education for all in Montenegro 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Serbia 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia  
  • Quality education for all in Serbia 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in North Macedonia 
  • Preventing and combatting human trafficking in North Macedonia 
  • Strengthening the human rights protection of migrants and victims of human trafficking in Turkey 
  • Fostering a comprehensive institutional response to violence against women and domestic violence in Turkey (the action ended in June 2021)
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans 
  • Fostering women’s access to justice in Turkey 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.