Forum of Tuzla Citizens

In the time of ten-month blockade of Tuzla, FTC organised series of public tribunes titled “How To Survive”.
FTC was engaged on providing and distribution of humanitarian aid.
FTC organised two public debates under the titles "Bosnia and Herzegovina In The Light of Geneva" and "The Washington Agreement", in May and July of 1994.
FTC, in co-operation with Verona Forum from Brussels and Association of Independent Intellectuals Circle 99 from Sarajevo organised an International conference under the title "Is Europe Possible Without Multiculturalism?” held in Tuzla on November 3 – 5 1994, under sponsorship of the European Parliament.
FTC, in association with the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly and Municipal Council Tuzla, organised an International conference under the title "Local Democracy in BiH And Europe", held in Tuzla on November 14 – 17 1994.
In February 1995, FTC organised a public debate “Protection of Human Rights”, and in April of the same year, organised a debate that promoted the Ombudsman Office in the Federation of BiH.
Over the system of e-mail communication ZAMIR, FTC organised written communication with all republics of former Yugoslavia and whole world in the time of informative blockade and broken connections. Over the same system, FTC realised project “Letters” that provides written communication to citizens with foreign countries. Over 100 letters daily were sent and received through this system.
FTC has been a co-organiser of the IV General Assembly of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, which was held in Tuzla on October 19 – 22 1995 where we had around 600 participants throughout the country and world.
On October 22, 1995, FTC in co-operation with Association “Circle 99” from Sarajevo published Charter that consists basic principles of organisation of common state of BiH.
FTC published booklet “Introduction to Human Rights” that represent first serious written work in the field of human rights in the history of BiH. This project was supported by NCA (Norwegian Church Aid).
The FTC initiates and leads the project ‘Citizens Alternative Parliament of BiH’ that initiates, encourage and financially support and connect local citizens’ initiatives at the state level. The founding assembly of Citizens Alternative Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on August 31, 1996 in Tuzla. CAP BiH is based in Tuzla.
Since 1997, National Endowment for Democracy, Washington supports work of CAP BiH and its members through project “Citizens Alternative Parliament – Strengthening of Civil Society”. At the beginning CAP BiH had 14 members, and until today it developed network of 30 very respectable NGOs, recognized in their communities.
In co-operation with IKV and Helsinki Board for Human Rights in RS, FTC leads project “The Way Back” that helps displaced persons from Tuzla and Bijeljina to return to their homes. Project was successfully finished in 2001 when we arranged reconstruction of 20 houses in Janja and Požarnica and provided return for refugees and returnees in Janja also received three tractors.
In 2002, also in co-operation with IKV and new established organisation Forum of Srebrenica Citizens, project will be continued in Srebrenica region.
In co-operation with ABF Gothenburg from Sweden, FTC is implementing educational program “ABF-FTC Data Studio” where citizens are educated in the field of information technologies. Beside getting of very useful knowledge, as well internationally acknowledged certificate (ECDL) after passed tests, student are additionally educated in the field of democratisation of society, protection of human rights, role of NGOs, trade unions, media, etc. in building of civil society.
In July 1999, FTC organised international conference “How to Reach Stability in SEE”, where actors of political alternative from the region presented their opinions about Stability Pact for SEE.
Since 1996, FTC has successful co-operation with Olof Palme International Centre from Stockholm. With their support FTC organised many activities aimed to democratisation and building of civil society in BiH. During 2000 and 2001, within joint project titled “NGO Incubator”, FTC supported work and strengthening of three NGOs: “Future” Modriča, “Milićanin” Milići and Forum of Gradačac Citizens. In 2002, co-operation with OPC is continued through the project “Voice of Citizens” aimed to implement rights, obligations and responsibilities of the citizens in relation to authorities and vice versa, as well establishment and affirmation of dialogue between citizens and local authorities.
FTC was actively involved in the work of Citizens Pact for South-East Europe, since it was founded in July 2000. The aim of Citizens Pact for SEE is to promote, develop and organise (implement) models of regional co-operation by local NGOs and municipalities devoted to stability, peace and democracy. Citizens Pact has three sectors: municipalities, youth and civic initiatives.
During 2002 and 2003, FTC in cooperation with IKV and partner-organisations: hCa Banja Luka, Centre for Civic Cooperation Livno and hCa Tuzla realised project titled “How to Integrate BiH, How to Integrate BiH into Europe?”. The main task of this project was integration of BiH at all levels, and basic aims were: to initiate pan-Bosnian discussion about internal BH integration, different European institutions, conditions for entrance of BiH into the Council of Europe, to initiate debate about the role of the citizens in integration processes and to set up campaigns and projects on certain topics.
Through the project “Strengthening of Civil Initiatives at Local Level”, financed by NED, at the beginning of 2003 FTC started strengthening of dialogue between citizens and local administration, as well with administration at higher levels, in several cities of BiH. The general aim was strengthening of democratic processes and democratisation of institutions of society, protection of human rights and citizens’ freedoms, transparency, efficiency and professionalism and quality of the work of public administration and services of local administration in general.
Within Forum of Tuzla Citizens there is also youth group called Urban Culture. It gathers young people that want to actively involve in the work of NGOs and the life of the local community. With support from partner organisation ABF from Gothenburg (Sweden) during 2002 and 2003 they worked on realisation of projects that were aimed to develop discussion groups among young people, engagement of young people in fight against drug-addiction and education of young people in the field of civil society and human right.