Call for Projects: Study Trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina with SOS Balkanroute and the ÖH
The Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH), in collaboration with SOS Balkanroute, is organizing a study trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina, located on the EU’s external borders. The goal of the trip is to gain insight into human rights violations at the EU’s external borders, to shed light on the consequences of the EU’s inhumane asylum policy, and to learn about local aid organizations and initiatives.
The trip also explores the recent past and the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including through conversations with eyewitnesses and a visit to the Srebrenica Memorial Center.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for students interested in topics related to the EU’s external borders, migration, and asylum policy. We have space for 9 students, who can participate free of charge. We expect all 9 participants to submit and publish a project or an analysis of the Content and impressions from the trip presented in a journalistic, artistic, and/or political manner (in various forms: photography, radio segment, art installation, newspaper article, lecture, political action, etc.). Text and photo contributions are especially welcome and may subsequently be featured in a thematically relevant issue of the ÖH’s progress magazine.
Once your application has been approved and we have offered you a spot on the study trip, we expect a binding commitment from you, which obligates students to adhere to the travel dates and to take the subject matter seriously (while on site).
Application
To apply for a spot on the study tour, please submit the following documents:
- Resume
- Letter of Motivation (max. 1 page addressing the following questions: Why is a humane asylum policy necessary? Why is the work of civil society organizations like SOS Balkanroute so important? What is your personal motivation for wanting to join the trip?)
- Abstract of the personal project following the study trip (max. half a page; should answer the following questions: What kind of project should it be? What media will be used? What is the timeframe?)
Itinerary
Dates: September 20–27, 2026
Sunday, September 20
- 10:00 a.m. – Departure from Vienna
- Arrival in Bihać
- Dinner with volunteers and refugees
Monday, September 21
- Visit to Camp Lipa
- Accompanying supply runs for the SOS Balkan Route
- Tour of the Border Region
- Visit to the Cemetery in Bihać
Tuesday, September 22
- Meeting with representatives of the city of Bihać
- Departure for Sarajevo
- Departure for Sarajevo
- Arrival in Sarajevo
- Free time in the evening
Wednesday, September 23
- Visit to the Museum of the Siege of Sarajevo
- Meeting with Azra, a volunteer, in Sarajevo
- Trip to Camp Blažuj
- Guided Tour of Sarajevo’s Old Town
- Free time in the evening
Thursday, September 24
- Departure for Konjic
- Visit to Tito’s Bunker
- Return to Sarajevo
- Flexible daytime and evening activities
Friday, September 25
- Departure to Srebrenica
- Visit of the Srebrenica Memorial Center
- Sharing a meal and talking with the mothers of Srebrenica
- Overnight stay in Srebrenica
Saturday, September 26
- Trip to the cemeteries in Zvornik and Bijeljina that were renovated by SOS Balkanroute
- Meeting with volunteers, the mountain rescue service, and dedicated individuals who care for the deceased in the Drina River, which forms the border between Bosnia and Serbia
Sunday, September 27
- Return trip to Vienna
All Applications, including supporting documents (Resume, cover letter, and abstract) Please send them by July 10 to ta.ca.heo@ztisrov & ta.ca.heo@ferffeo with the subject line “Study Trip”!
