World Refugee Day 2025. – United in solidarity

In honor of World Refugee Day, this week we had the privilege of co-organizing three meaningful events in Sarajevo and Bihać, aimed at highlighting the strength, resilience, and creativity of people on the move, while reminding us all of the importance of community, dignity, and hope.

In Sarajevo, at the Temporary reception center Ušivak, we co-organized a fashion show in collaboration with IOM and Caritas BiH. This event was chosen as a symbolic way to mark World Refugee Day through the art of fashion, with the aim of celebrating the talent and creativity of our beneficiaries. Their dedication and skill were evident in each unique and carefully crafted piece proudly showcased on the runway.

The show was accompanied by a vibrant and joyful atmosphere with live music, fresh fruit, and refreshing drinks. It was a moment of celebration, pride, and connection. Through this event, the Temporary reception center Ušivak sent out a powerful message: refugees are not defined by their past, but by their potential, resilience, and contribution to the communities they are part of. On this day, we express our solidarity with all those who have been forced to leave their homes and renew our commitment to supporting their journey toward dignity, inclusion, and hope.

In Bihać, in collaboration with UNHCR, we organized an educational and cultural activity for beneficiaries from the Day center, the Safe House for unaccompanied minors, the Temporary reception center Lipa, and asylum seekers.

The day began with a tour of the city of Bihać, where participants had the opportunity to explore local historical and cultural landmarks. This was followed by a visit to the Bihać Museum, which offered deeper insight into the region’s heritage and history. The activity continued in the historic town of Ostrožac, where we hosted a creative workshop in a unique cultural setting, with a focus on self-expression, collaboration, and shared enjoyment. The day concluded with a joint lunch at a riverside restaurant on the banks of the Una River, in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

We ended the evening with a symbolic outdoor event in a nearby park, joined by beneficiaries from the Reception center for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors and other vulnerable children. Not far from the “Summer on Wilson’s” festival, we opened an exhibition titled “A Little Museum of Memories,” held under the open sky, surrounded by trees and smiles. The children held up their drawings—homes they had lost, families they carry in their hearts, and dreams they build each day. In the stillness of the park, colors and words spoke louder than a thousand languages.

On World Refugee Day, we remind ourselves and others: home is not merely a physical place. Home is the people, the memories, and the hope we carry within us.

We thank all partners, participants, and colleagues who helped make this week of activities rich with meaning, filled with emotion, and echoing with a powerful message of solidarity.