04 May 2001

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Japanese Government has pledged US$400,000 to extend a confidence-building initiative among ethnically divided young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project (Projekt izgrandje povejerenja), carried out by United Nations Volunteers and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports and complements the Government's strategy towards building confidence amongst divided groups at the community level. The focus on youth is in line with UNDP's human development efforts. The US $400,000 will allow the project to continue for another year, from April 2001.

Project activities during the last two years were implemented with the support by the Government of Ireland and by the United Nations Volunteers through its Special Voluntary Fund. The project was implemented in 11 municipalities in the federation, five municipalities in Republika Srpska and the district of Brcko.

UN Volunteers have so far organized 39 workshops in 18 focus areas with over 600 participants. More than 350 young people have attended six summer camps designed to promote peace and understanding of cultural differences.

Eighteen small-scale projects began with financial support from the project's confidence-building fund. In addition, young people benefited from a new radio network and a web site set up to promote contacts between ethic groups as well as to draw in a wider audience for the project.

UN Volunteers helped form a local advisory board composed by representatives from the different focus areas to serve as a resource pool for youth development issues.

Over the next 12 months, three more municipalities will be included in the project. Activities will be expanded to concentrate on reconciliation, empowerment and sustainability, all of which are deemed necessary in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina.