The question
Participation is not automatically peaceful or inclusive. SCORE Bosnia and Herzegovina explored how civic behaviour intersects with intergroup relations, political narratives, and personal capacities, providing evidence for BHRI’s work on resilience and social cohesion.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Resilience Initiative was implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with USAID/OTI support. The research examined civic trust, divisive narratives, inclusion, and the capacities that help people navigate disagreement: collaboration, self-direction, learning, and wellbeing. Subsequent analysis of the 2020 wave also addressed attitudes towards migrants and refugees, returning foreign fighters and their families, and governance in Mostar.
Research approach
The survey included 3,637 adults. Its analysis informed the resilient citizenship report and a subsequent journal article on constructive and aggressive civic tendencies.
Gender-disaggregated comparisons and equality mindsets were included within the broader civic and conflict analysis. The study asks how participation relates to violence and aggressive attitudes, not simply how to increase the number of people participating.
The work produced a public report, thematic policy analyses, visualisations, and presentations for interpreting cohesion and resilience. The journal paper carried the central question into academic debate: which conditions are associated with constructive participation, and which with aggressive civic tendencies?
What the research brings into view
Constructive and aggressive civic tendencies can coexist. Understanding what distinguishes them is more useful than treating all civic activity as an inherently positive outcome. The work examines associated factors, rather than claiming that a survey can establish the causal effects of a programme.
Institutional project description and public SCORE results.