Humanitarian Organisation Genesis Project from Banja Luka has been shortlisted for the “Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders” award that is being given to the local builders of peace at the global level by the International Organisation Peace Direct from London.
The Genesis Project Organisation was selected as a finalist out of 250 candidates from around the world.
“We are extremely happy about the fact that we have been included in the final round of the evaluation. Out of 250 applicants, including a variety of groups and individuals working in the field of peace-building in the entire world, our activities have been rated as one of the most impressive ones. We have been shortlisted for the prize with 11 other finalists. Out of 12 finalists, three groups will receive the award therefore we have a pretty good chance “, explained Dijana Pejic, director of the Genesis Project.

She pointed out that the fact that the organisation is shortlisted already means a lot to its reputation, and the award itself would without doubt open new perspectives too.

Ruairi Nolan, a representative of the Peace Direct organisation, said that the Genesis Project Organisation was immediately singled out as a finalist for the award.

“Peace Direct received over 250 entries from peace building organisations around the world to our Tomorrow’s Peacebuilders awards. The application from Genesis stood out straightaway, and we were very happy to shortlist it because of the tremendous dedication and skill with which they use arts to bring together children from all communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Furthermore, their work has a sense of fun and creativity which helps it be engaging for young people, “explained Ruairi.

Peace Direct awards prizes at the global level once a year.
It is an international recognition for the peace activists who work in their own countries throughout the world. The awards are presented to the individuals and organisations.

The ceremony will be held in December in London, and as part of the prize 10,000 $ is also awarded that the receivers of the award will spend on the specific peacekeeping activity in their country.

The Genesis Project is a non-governmental organisation founded in Banja Luka in 1997 and it has been operating across the country since then. With the support of its donors, the organisation helps children and young people across the country in the exercise of the right to free and proper physical and mental development, regardless of their religious, ethnic and racial origin, taking into account all the individual differences and potentials. That is being done through a variety of methods, including educational workshops, work with teachers and parents, interactive puppet shows, one-minute movies through which the children point to their problems, in addition to seminars and training.