The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina has announced a public call for submissions of nominations for the “Denis Mrnjavac” Award for the Promotion of Tolerance and Nonviolence for 2025.

The award is given annually within secondary schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina, to one high school student from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one from the Republic of Srpska, and one from the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have contributed to the promotion of human rights, tolerance, and mutual respect, especially in the fight against youth violence.

We invite all secondary schools to nominate students for their contribution to promoting human rights, tolerance, and mutual respect among young people through the relevant ministries responsible for education.

The nomination proposal for the Award should include:

1. Personal information of the nominated student and school details (full name, grade attended, name and address of the school attended),
2. Information about the nominator (name and address of the school, responsible person), and
3. Justification of the nomination, specifying how the nominated student has contributed to the promotion of human rights, tolerance, and mutual respect among young people.

The Award Committee, appointed by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is obligated to review the award nominations and propose for the award a student who meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Helps teachers raise awareness among other students about striving for a school and society free of violence, leads by personal example, and encourages others to behave positively, nonviolently, and tolerantly.

• Encourages and maintains healthy relationships in the classroom/positive communication and social acceptance of every student in the class and school.

• Helps other students.

• Treats peers and adults with respect and kindness.

• Prevents conflicts, participates in conflict resolution, and encourages others to resolve conflicts nonviolently.

• Encourages and supports peers in positive and humane ideas.

• Accepts various responsibilities toward other students or adults and carries them out consciously and responsibly.

• Organizes and participates in humanitarian actions.

•   Participates with other students and teachers in projects aimed at preventing peer and other forms of violence.

The awarded student will receive a sculpture, a special recognition plaque, and a cash prize of 1,500 BAM for each awarded student. The school attended by the awarded student will receive a special recognition.

Nominations for the award must be submitted by registered mail to the following address:

Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and HerzegovinaHercegovine

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine broj 1, 71 000 Sarajevo

With the note: “PUBLIC CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ‘DENIS MRNJAVAC’ AWARD FOR THE PROMOTION OF TOLERANCE AND NONVIOLENCE FOR 2025 – DO NOT OPEN”

The deadline for submitting nominations is 90 days from the date the Public Call is published on the Ministry’s website (from April 25, 2025). Incomplete and late nominations will not be considered.The contact person for additional information is Mersiha Salkić, mersiha.salkic@mhrr.gov.ba