(Re)Imagining Coexistence: Striving for Sustainable Return, Reintegration and Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Prior to the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats shared neighbourhoods and friendships.The war, through its objective and effect, divided these communitiesand groups. Postconflict, the physical return of displaced personsand refugees was, and remains, insufficient to renew coexistence.Moreover, the weak economy aggravates divisions, further impedingsustainable return and reconciliation. Recognising these difficulties,UNHCR launched ‘Imagine Coexistence,’ a series ofactivities designed to rebuild trust among ethnic groups inareas of return. Many of the activities involved an income-generatingcomponent. The article reviews this and other similar initiativesthat aim to promote livelihoods, community development, returnand coexistence concurrently. It finds that while such inventiveprojects receive limited attention and funding, they have achievedsuccesses in repairing social relationships, addressing povertyand strengthening communities in Bosnia. Consequently, theyshould be given greater prominence in Bosnia and more generallyin the design of transitional justice and peace building interventions.