Roots of the Future – ROOF

The project “Roots of the Future” aims at contributing to the advancement of the complex path toward a genuine reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and at creating opportunities for social cohesion among its citizens. The project intends to address and involve directly young people from four Universities of the country: Tuzla, Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, as well as the College for Tourism and Hospitality in Trebinje, thus including municipalities and communities both Federation of BiH and of Republic Srpska. By valorising youth interests, favouring exchanges and by increasing and enriching their knowledge on BiH heritage, the project will create a concrete opportunity of dialogue and discussion on main common aspects of the country, starting from the cultural heritage sites of BiH such Stećak, the medieval tombstones. The sites are located in almost the entire territory of BiH, and they are recognised by all the population in BiH as a symbol of identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and represent a common tradition and shared heritage amongst Bosniak, Croats, and Serbs alike.

The project involves a network of 50 young people expression of social fabric of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.

The indirect beneficiaries of the project are: about 150.000 citizens; communities of at least 3 Municipalities in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Communities living in 3 protected areas (Protected landscape Konjuh. Tuzla Canton) National Park Sutjeska (Republika Srpska) and Natural Park Blidinje (Hercegovačko Neretvanska Županija Canton, Herceg – Bosanska Canton, Zapadno Hercegovačka Canton).

The objective of the project is “to widen and strengthen the network among youngsters of BiH promoting reconciliation and social cohesion through the revaluation of common historical and cultural heritage”. Starting from a bottom-up approach, the realization of a network of young students committed in the valorisation of their country can be one more seed for increasing a sentiment of unity.

• Promotion and information campaigns
• Establishment of a working group of students aimed at deepening their scientific knowledge on social cohesion, reconciliation, and common heritage. The working group aims to begin the preparatory phase to consolidate students’ scientific knowledge on the topics on which the project focuses
• Study visits, educational seminars, academic workshops, podcasts, online digital library to host all contents produced by the students
• Development of cultural itineraries and maps

The expected results are:

1. A network of 50 youngsters active in the promotion of common values and dialogue between students from different parts of the territory of BiH. Students in turn will become promoters of the values linked to social cohesion and reconciliation.
2. Digital library of the “Social Cohesion Nexus” created
   The workshops focusing on writing academic articles and creating podcasts will produce student-created material which will then be uploaded to the Social Cohesion Nexus library. These materials will be the first step in the development of the collaborative online platform which will be constantly updated with contents related to the theme of social cohesion.
3. Historical maps of the medieval sites and cultural itineraries created
   Students will be the main creators of the historical map.
4. Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a partnership among the Universities and the College for Tourism and Hospitality.
5. A comprehensive promotion and information campaign will be carried out, through social media, web sites and television, radio, newspapers and magazines, promoting project activities and results achieved.