The Network for Building Peace was founded on February 10, 2010, thanks to the idea of several peace activists and organizations who realized that we can only build sustainable peace together. Until 2018, we operated as an informal group of civil society organizations and schools, and since November 2018 we have been formally registered as a legal entity called the Network for Building Peace. We still lead and strengthen the Informal Network for Building Peace today with our volunteer work as its secretariat. Today, the Network for Building Peace has 225 members in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. Our members are educational institutions, eco organizations, foundations, international organizations, interreligious organizations, media organizations, organizations that inherit cultural heritage and art, promote peace, dealing with political issues, human rights, protection of the rights of women, Roma, LGBTIQ+ persons, children, persons with disabilities, protection of the rights of war victims, volunteer organizations.
The network was created in order to increase the long-term capabilities of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s society to deal in a constructive and non-violent way with the legacy of our recent history, with differences, latent or open conflicts. By making these efforts, the Network strives to improve the quality of social and economic life in BiH. The international community has recognized and supported the work and influence of the Network, as the only sustainable and most influential network in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
One of our most recognizable activities is the awarding of the “Goran Bubalo” Peace Prize. The Network for Building Peace awards the “Goran Bubalo” Peace Prize every year in two categories – for individuals and for educational institutions, and with this award it recognizes and supports the exceptional efforts of individuals and educational institutions that strive to restore peace, preserve and promote justice and human rights in Bosnia. and Herzegovina. The peace award of the Network for Building Peace was established in 2013, and from 2020 it bears the name of Goran Bubalo in memory of the late founder and president of the Network for Building Peace.
With its member Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka, the Network for Building Peace is also part of the awarding of the “Srđan Aleksić” Journalist Award, which has taken on a regional character since 2022. This award is given to media, newspapers and journalists who have shown themselves in reporting on topics related to peace building and human rights.
The Network for Building Peace is a recipient of the Freedom Award from the International Peace Center and was runner-up in the 2014 World Vision International Peacebuilding Prize competition. In 2016, it was also declared the organization of the year in BiH in the selection of BH Magazine. 2021. In 2008, the francophone ambassadors and heads of mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded the Peacebuilding Network the francophone award “Bridge to the Future”, which is awarded every year.
Our goal in our work is the influence and concrete initiatives related to the following areas of public policies that are recognized as key for the long-term peace building in BiH:
- Education
- Security
- Regional development
- Protection and promotion of human and minority rights
- Coping with the past and transitional justice
- Gender equality
- Culture of public dialogue and democracy
- Strengthening the capacity of civil society to build true peace
- Restoring trust among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- More constructive action on the ruling political structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Improvement of common life in Bosnia and Herzegovina
MISSION: Network for Building Peace works to strengthen civil society through networking, development and encouragement of social communication, solidarity and dialogue with all social actors.
VISION: Peaceful, safe, just and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. a society based on humane, civil and democratic values