Scouting in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Savez Izviđača Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine
Scouts Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina		Arms of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Scouting was established in 1915 under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As part of Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina was a founding member of the World Organization from 1922 to 1948. Scouting in Yugoslavia was disbanded by the Communist Regime in 1950.
After a number of efforts, The Savjet izviđačkih organizacija u Bosni i Hercegovini (Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina), the national federation of two Scouting organizations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was founded in 1999 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement that year. The coeducational Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina has 1,901 members as of 2008.

"Scouting under the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established in 1915. In his book, What Scouts Can Do: More Yarns, Baden-Powell wrote about Bosnia before the First World War; in a section "Biking in Bosnia" he provides a fascinating picture of this war-torn land. Bosnia-Herzegovina, as part of Yugoslavia, helped found the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922 and remained a member until Scouting in Yugoslavia was coopted by the Tito government in 1950 into Savez Izviđača Jugoslavije, at which time WOSM membership was forfeited.

"The Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises Savez Izviđača Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine (Scout Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Savez Izviđača Republike Srpske (Scout Association of the Republic of Srpska). Both Scout Associations agreed to work together to form a federation and join WOSM together, and met to finalize matters presented to WOSM for consideration of membership. WOSM granted full membership to Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 1999. The ultimate goal of the two councils is to form into one when stable political situations in the area allow.

"Earlier in the decade, renewed fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina led to the decision that it was too dangerous for a contingent from Bosnia and Herzegovina to travel to the World Jamboree, held in the Netherlands, 2–12 August 1995.

"The Scout Motto is Буди Спреман (Budi Spreman), translating as "Be Prepared" in the dialect of each ethnic group. The noun for a single Scout is interchangeably Skaut and Izviđač."

From the Wikipedia article on The Savjet izviđačkih organizacija u Bosni i Hercegovini (Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The membership badge of the council is often seen in black-and-white so as not to show ethnic leaning of the various groups. The emblem of Savez Izviđača Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine incorporates the gold-on-green color scheme of the coat of arms of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the maple leaf design of the original Savez Izviđača Jugoslavije. The emblem of Savez Izviđača Republike Srpske incorporates elements of the coat of arms of Republika Srpska. (From Wikipedia)

Bosnia’s Scouts send a message to the World Jamboree

In its August, 1995 Edition, Eurofax 35 reported: "Renewed fighting in Bosnia & Herzegovina led to the decision that it was too dangerous for a contingent from Bosnia & Herzegovina to travel to the World Jamboree, held in the Netherlands, 2-12 August. The Scouts of Bosnia sent the following message to the 25,000 participants." A Message from the Scouts of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Eurofax is the monthly newsletter of the European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

B-P writes about Bosnia before the First World War

Baden-Powell traveled widely. He enjoyed the open road and had a keen sense of adventure. In his book, What Scouts Can Do: More Yarns, he says "I want every Scout to be happy, and one of the best ways I know of being happy is to go for a good bike ride. In"Biking in Bosnia"he provides a fascinating picture of this war-torn land before the two World Wars.

A Chronicle of Scouting in Eastern Europe

With the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and Russia, Scouting has returned to many lands where it had previously taken root. These pages chronicle the return of former members and the addition of new members to the World Organization of the Scout Movement. They also report the growth of Scouting in the other nations of Eastern Europe.

Scouting organizations around the world are assisting in the growth of Scouting in both Eastern Europe and Russia. They have been identified by country where information is available.

Currently, the "Chronicle" reports on the progress of Scouting in 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Chronicle Home Page provides links to each.

Return to the Home Page of the Chronicle of Scouting in Eastern Europe and Russia

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Please write to: Lewis P. Orans

Copyright © Lewis P. Orans, 2010
Last Modified: 1:46 PM on July 24, 2010