British Embassy Sarajevo is inviting bids by 6 August 2025 for a project to strengthen peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar and surrounding areas.
Introduction
A stable and less divided Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a top priority of the UK government. Recent scoping and engagement across the country has identified that ethnic tensions remain high, often localised and in some instances, communities are severely divided.
Mostar, the largest city in the Herzegovina region, is a stark example of this division with communities living in de facto segregation. For this reason, the UK has invested in peace and reconciliation efforts in Mostar - including a flagship project to support the rejuvenation of public spaces between 2022 and 2024.
The project achieved significant engagement from the public, and 'increased interpersonal connections through establishing a participatory process to identify which and how public spaces should be rejuvenated. (This was the most cited reason for why citizens believed that relations between citizens was better than they were a year ago in the end of line survey).
Building on this success, we are now commissioning for a short-term follow-on project (until 31 March 2026) that uses public spaces to bring individuals together, across ethnic divisions through activities that directly support peaceful interethnic relation, community cohesion and societal resilience.
Activities should deliver for Mostar but can additionally work with neighbouring areas (for example Stolac) if it supports the project objective. Proposals must focus on one or several of the following goals and clearly identify which ones they are seeking to address:
- using sport as a method to bring people, including women and girls, together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
- using music as a method to bring people together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
- addressing and countering inter-ethnic tensions in Mostar related to football hooliganism
- enabling inter-religious cooperation in promoting interfaith and interethnic cooperation and collaboration to reduce tensions and divided living
Detailed information
Only not-for-profit organisations are invited to bid. This includes international organisations (IOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs), who can also apply in a consortium of CSOs.
Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify their intended impact. They may also build on projects by other organisations, complementing their efforts. All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities in Mostar supported by other donors and international partners.
The minimum indicative funding for projects is £120,000 and maximum £250,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions. Co-funded projects will be regarded favourably.
Projects must be completed by the 31 March 2026. Where appropriate, bidders are encouraged to describe how their project could be further scaled up if additional funding became available.
All project management, project administration, and overhead costs should be detailed and not to exceed 12% of total budget. Budgeting overheads as a flat percentage is not supported, and any such costs should be fully detailed in the budget.
We are unable to fund academic courses or English language courses. The purchase of IT and other equipment over £500 per item will require prior approval of the embassy, but such procurement should not constitute a significant part of the overall project budget.
The British Embassy Sarajevo will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process.
Bidding is competitive and only selected project/s will receive funding. The embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection. Due to the volume of bids expected we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.
Bidding process
Bidders should fill in a standard project proposal form (Annex A) and include a breakdown of project costs in the activity-based budget (ABB) (Annex B).
Budgets must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), all costs should be indicative, in GBP. Successful implementers should be able to receive project funding in either BAM or GBP.
Successful bids must have a clear Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) objective explicit in the project documentation and an explanation of a positive impact of the project on advancing gender equality and social inclusion.
All projects or activities must align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and assess climate and environmental impact and risks, taking steps to ensure that no environmental harm is done and, where relevant, support adaptation.
An information session will be held at at 10am (BiH time) on 23 July 2025. Email
