From September 15 to 19, this year's PRAGG Civic Participation Days were held in various local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, giving citizens the opportunity to express their views, highlight issues in their communities, propose solutions, and discuss ways to participate more actively in decision-making.

Activities were organized in Mostar, Kakanj, Brčko, Zavidovići, Bugojno, Tuzla, Sarajevo, and Jablanica, featuring street actions, conversations between citizens and government representatives, panel discussions, exhibitions, video content, and other initiatives aimed at creating space for citizens' voices to be heard.

Diverse activities, shared goal

In Kakanj, citizens used a "Wall of Wishes and Complaints" to share their proposals, needs, and messages with local authorities, while in Brčko, the "We Build the Community" initiative opened up a dialogue about the changes citizens would like to see in their community. The "Mostar Asks – Who Answers?" activity in Mostar focused on direct communication with citizens, conducting surveys, and addressing the issue of institutional accountability regarding problems identified by the public.

In Zavidovići, examples of civic activism and the experiences of organizations that have driven local community changes were presented, while young people in Bugojno used a "Wall of Youth Ideas and Needs" and a panel discussion to talk about issues affecting them and ways they can participate in decision-making. In Tuzla, a street event combined the "Exhibition of (Un)Successes" and the "Wall of Wishes," creating a space for citizens to both acknowledge what has been achieved and highlight what still needs to change.

In Sarajevo, the organizations "Baby Steps" and "Stop Mobbing" engaged citizens through a joint street event and performance, discussing the right to a birth companion and protection against workplace harassment, while inviting them to leave questions, comments, and demands for decision-makers. Meanwhile, in Jablanica, the "Budi mi prijatelj" (Be My Friend) Association held a street event to discuss the daily challenges citizens face and the needs of their local community.

Democracy Doesn't Stop at the Ballot Box

The "Days of Civic Participation" were held to mark the International Day of Democracy, serving as a reminder that democracy does not end when the polls close. It is built through everyday civic engagement—identifying problems, proposing solutions, and maintaining a dialogue with decision-makers.

That is why, once again this year, the "Days of Civic Participation" created a space for citizens to play an active role in their communities—to ask questions, make proposals, voice their needs, and demonstrate that their voices matter beyond the electoral process. We thank all the citizens who took part in this year's activities, the organizations that fostered dialogue within their communities, and everyone who helped share the citizens' messages with the wider public.

Diverse activities, one shared goal: More space for the voices of citizens!

PHOTO GALLERY

Take a look at the atmosphere from this year's Civic Participation Days across Bosnia and Herzegovina.