Community reconciliation through poverty reduction (CRPR)

UN Trust Fund for Human Security

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Fast Facts Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA SERBIA Duration: July 2007 to June 2010 Sarajevo Implementing UN Agencies: UNDP; UNESCO; UNHCR CROATIA Mostar Stolac Other Implementing Partners: National and local government; NGOs Budget: $2,349,5 79.83

MONTENEGRO Key Words: Post-conflict reconciliation; de-mining; income generation;

100 km eco-tourism Trebinje

BACKGROUND

Despite major strides in peace consolidation since the people’s movement and limited their access to housing end of civil war in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina and farmland. To alleviate current tensions and to continued to be affected by high levels of prevent the recurrence of violent conflict, it had unemployment, poverty and persistent inter-ethnic become important to re-establish inter-community tensions, all of which contributed to high levels of relations through a comprehensive econo mic recovery human insecurity among multi-ethnic communities in programme that addressed issues of poverty, Southeastern Herzegovina. Subsequently, 20 per cent displacement and minority rights in an integrated of the population was living under the poverty line and manner. Furthermore, activities to address poverty and unemployment rates hovered at around 40 per cent, unemployment could also help promote post-conflict spiking to 90 per cent in some of the most reconciliation among different ethnic groups. In post- impoverished post-conflict areas. Limited job conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina, such efforts were opportunities forced many people to work illegally. crucial for sustainable development and the promotion Moreover, mines and cluster munitions restricted of human security.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Working closely with local authorities in the Mostar- removing mines and unexploded ordinances (UXOs) Blagaj region and the Stolac and greater Trebinje from areas with high potential for eco-tourism and municipalities where ethnic Bosniacs, Bosnian Croats agricultural activity; (ii) to improve local capacities and Bosnian Serbs lived, the project sought to promote for waste management and strengthen health and community reconciliation in Southeastern hygiene standards; (iii) to increase inter-ethnic Herzegovina through a multi-dimensional approach to dialogue and cooperation through the promotion of poverty reduction. More specifically, the project eco-tourism; and (iv) to reinstate pride in the region’s aimed to achieve the following objectives: (i) to common heritage by restoring cultural and historical promote economic recovery and job creation by heritage sites.

BENEFICIARIES The direct beneficiaries of this project were residents vulnerable groups, namely the remaining refugees and of the municipalities of Stolac and Trebinje, and the IDPs. city of Mostar. The project also sought to reach out to

Credit: OCHA Credit: OCHA

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS (i) As a result of the interest and cooperation of a (iii) Activities on the promotion of the tourism variety of actors, the project successfully cleared industry not only helped raise the incomes of the local mines and UXOs from an area four times greater than communities, they also raised awareness among originally planned. In addition, the project ensured the residents on the unique characteristics and the restoration of approximately 180,000 square metres of comparative advantages of the region vis-à-vis eco- land deemed to be significant for tourism, income tourism. This led to the establishment of the first generation and community reconciliation. tourism cooperative in the area. The project also made (ii) Through a three-pronged approach, the project sure that at least 30 per cent of the accompanying provided the appropriate equipment for waste eight income generation sub-projects were collection; organized training on financial and implemented by vulnerable groups. strategic planning for personnel at utility companies; (iv) In each community, monuments were restored, and implemented a comprehensive waste management promoting the cultural heritage of the region and campaign. As a result, local knowledge, attitudes and contributing to a growing interest in Southeastern behaviours related to waste disposal and management Herzegovina as a possible eco-tourist destination. improved significantly and were complimented by improved waste collection and clearance by local authorities

LESSONS LEARNED

The project highlighted the importance of promoting tourist industry in the region and provided the protection and empowerment strategies that build on necessary institutional support to prepare the existing local capacities and result in collaborative territories for economic development in this area. efforts that lead to mutually-shared benefits and Moreover, the project drew attention to the region’s greater cohesion within communities. Specifically, by common cultural heritage and underscored the recognizing the potential for eco-tourism in the target importance of shared histories to the promotion of territories, the project identified eco-friendly activities inter-ethnic dialogue, collaboration and reconciliation Photo: Name Surname/OCHA that could further bolster the development of an eco- in post-conflict multi-ethnic communities.

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