Sarajevo Welcomes Two Peace Circles – Together for a Peaceful Future

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will become the first national capital to join the global Peace Circle® network. Two new parks are planned to bring together peace, nature, and community — reflecting the city’s strong commitment to sustainability and social cohesion. Why Sarajevo Joined the Peace Circle Initiative?

In an official statement from the City of Sarajevo’s Department for Sustainable Development, Amar Popara explains the background and motivation:

“Sarajevo, with its long-standing history as a meeting point of cultures, religions, and traditions, has always valued dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence. At the same time, the city’s history also carries lessons from times of conflict and division. This unique background made Sarajevo a natural partner for the Peace Circle initiative.”

By joining the initiative, Sarajevo aims to:

• strengthen community ties

• promote mutual understanding

• create safe spaces for open, inclusive dialogue

“Peace Circles offer a structured and respectful format in which all voices can be heard, fostering empathy and cooperation among participants. For the City of Sarajevo, they represent a meaningful step towards building trust, preventing future divisions, and nurturing a culture of peace that benefits all residents.”

What Bringing Peace Circles to Sarajevo Means

According to the statement:

“Introducing Peace Circles carries deep significance. Sarajevo’s history has taught our community the value of resilience, compassion, and the ability to rebuild — not only physical spaces, but also trust among people. Bringing this initiative here is like planting seeds of hope in a city that understands, perhaps better than most, the cost of division and the preciousness of peace.”

The city highlights that the most meaningful aspect of the Peace Circle method is equality in dialogue:

“It is not about debating or convincing, but about truly listening — an act that can be transformative in itself. Seeing people from different backgrounds come together, share their experiences, and leave with a renewed sense of connection reflects the essence of community building.”

Two Parks, One Vision

Two Peace Circle parks are planned for Sarajevo — one at Elementary School Aleksa Šantić, and another at Experimental Polygon of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science. Together, they will serve as living symbols of peace, environmental stewardship, and community spirit.

Bringing Peace Circles to Sarajevo is part of the city’s broader vision to invest in social cohesion and sustainable development, ensuring that the lessons of the past shape a more inclusive and peaceful future.

This video offers a glimpse into the surroundings and community spirit connected to the upcoming Peace Circles in Sarajevo.