In 1998, CICR was contracted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to implement a four-year initiative aimed at fostering reconciliation and rebuilding social structures in the Mostar and Banja Luka regions. The project was led by Vesna Dasovic-Markovic, a BiH-born lawyer and former judge, whose experience brought invaluable insights into the complexities of post-war BiH.
Focus Area
CICR’s training targeted key professionals—lawyers, judges, teachers, social workers, and NGOs—teaching them the skills to mediate, facilitate, and rebuild trust among community, religious, and business leaders across the three ethnic groups.
Results
Training and Certification
800 professionals trained in conflict resolution and interethnic group facilitation, including 42 judges and one Supreme Court judge.
180 individuals advanced their facilitation skills, including eight judges.
130 participants gained advanced mediation skills, including the President of the Association of Prosecutors and the Deputy Minister of Justice.
15 trainers certified in conflict resolution, ensuring a sustainable framework for continued learning.
Institutional and Legislative Impact
A new Law on Mediation Procedures was passed to promote mediation as a first step in civil cases.
Pilot projects in court-referred mediation were launched, significantly reducing backlogs in BiH’s judicial system.
The Association of Mediators of Bosnia and Herzegovina was founded to institutionalize mediation practices.
Community Impact
Refugees and displaced persons were reintegrated into 25 communities.
NGOs, government ministries, religious institutions, and social workers facilitated interethnic collaboration.
Conflict resolution resource centers were established in Mostar and Banja Luka, providing ongoing support and training.
Court-Referred Mediation: 2003–2005
Following a World Bank recommendation for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, CICR was engaged this time to introduce court-referred mediation in BiH’s two major courts in Banja Luka and Sarajevo. The project, funded by the IFC/World Bank, aimed to alleviate the overwhelming backlog in civil cases.
Outputs
Development of court-referred mediation procedures and forms.
Certification of 70 mediators and the publication of a comprehensive manual on mediation.
Passage of a new mediation law to institutionalize ADR practices.
Outcomes
442 cases resolved through mediation, including 187 commercial disputes.
Over $37.5 million in assets and funds released, with $13.4 million tied to commercial cases.
A Lasting Legacy
CICR’s work in BiH demonstrated the transformative power of conflict resolution. From fostering interethnic harmony to streamlining judicial processes, CICR’s initiatives helped BiH take meaningful steps toward rebuilding trust and functionality.
The establishment of mediation laws, institutions, and training programs ensured the sustainability of these efforts, leaving a framework for continued reconciliation and collaboration.
The success of CICR’s initiatives in BiH exemplifies its mission to transform conflict into an opportunity for understanding and growth. By equipping individuals and institutions with the tools to navigate disputes, CICR fosters resilience in communities worldwide.
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