Bosnian Diaspora Giving Back to the Homeland
"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.”
The Homeland. Where the crystal clear Neretva flows, the sound of the sevdah echoes, and the smell of coffee roasting kisses your nose. The homeland. Where the citizens' hearts are comforted by it, while the diaspora’s hearts beat for it.
When thinking about Bosnia and Herzegovina, the diaspora across the world may experience a plethora of emotions. With 1.7 to 2.2 million people living abroad, this diaspora represents one of the highest emigration numbers in the world, with the highest numbers coming from within Western Europe, Turkey, and North America. (“International mobility”.) Contrary to what people may think about these numbers and the reasons for immigration, mass departures started during and after the Bosnian War from 1992-1995. Fearing for their lives, people lunged at opportunities to escape and build better lives for themselves and their future families abroad. Yet, these very actions left emotional wounds that may have never even healed. Nostalgia, trauma, heart-break, guilt, resilience, enduring defiant love. To this day, the Bosnian diaspora feels it all. Although many have not returned, whether it be because there’s no home or family to return to or not having the monetary ability to, everyone finds a way to give back.
THE ROLE OF BOSNIAN DIASPORA
The diaspora are major supporters of education, culture, and remembrance both in and outside of Bosnia. Whether giving directly to their own families or contributing on a wider scale, they strive to do their part. One of the main avenues of giving back comes through remittances, which are funds transferred to home countries that help families cover daily living expenses, education, or healthcare. In 2025, BiH remittances amounted to 3.26 billion BAM, about 7.8 percent of the gross domestic product. This amount has a direct impact on the disposable income of households, their consumption, and standard of living, (“Diaspora Remittances to BiH.”) while also acting as a stable source of inflow of foreign funds which positively affect foreign currency reserves.
Additionally, the process has positive impacts on investments in education, economic development, tourism, business investments, real estate, and philanthropy, especially those facilitated by projects like USAID’s Diaspora Invest, which provides an easier way for the diaspora to give back by offering exploration of investing and establishing B2B relations. In two years alone, professionals from the diaspora supported 57 companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina. (“USAID Diaspora Invest”). Since then, the business sector has boomed with new jobs from investment start-ups.
EDUCATION: SCHOLARSHIPS AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PROGRAMS
We’ve heard it before and we’ll hear it again: “Education is a privilege, not a right.” Access is limited by wealth, location, and safety, making it difficult for everyone to receive everything that it promises. Although the dreary idea is understood, populations all around the world refuse to accept it, emphasizing that not only does everyone deserve an education, but everyone needs one. We need the personal and social development education offers. We need the financial stability and societal advancement in which it is centered around. Society depends on education and we are affected by our societies. The Bosnian diaspora like every other, recognize the importance of education while seeing the massive potential in their youth. Whether it be investing in better learning environments and school supplies or funding entire programs at universities, they prioritize attention on education.
There are several foundations that grant recipients scholarships allowing them to start and or further their education. Foundations like BHAAAS & BOSANA Foundation being primarily composed of professionals from the diaspora in the United States and Canada, offer scholarships and are known for participating in knowledge transfer programs.
Recently, The University Clinical Center Tuzla hosted the “Knowledge Transfer from Diaspora Experts to BiH” initiative where Prof. Dr. Eldin Karaiković, a top expert from the Bonsian diaspora, shared his expertise through operative work, consultations with physicians and patient evaluation and treatment planning. Karaiković, being an orthopedic and spinal surgeon and long-time BHAAAS member and former president, was eager to offer hands-on knowledge transfer to students at UKC Tuzla while teaming up with local spinal surgeons to perform six complex spinal procedures. It’s investments like these that inspire and motivate young doctors and will help future patients for generations to come.
RESTORATION: HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION
Bosnia, being a predominantly Muslim country, is home to hundreds of beautiful mosques that echo the adhan from far and wide. In urban areas, it is common to see as many as six within a 0.5 mile radius. Sadly, many of those historic and beautiful houses of worship were destroyed during the war, many untouched since.
Major cities have had help with renovations and restorations from surrounding countries, but many mosques, especially smaller ones within rural areas, haven’t gotten as much attention or help. This is where the diaspora comes in, raising money at their local masjid’s abroad and some sending money individually or through family. While some take it a step further by returning directly to start rebuilding their communities on the ground. These generous funds assist locals within smaller communities with reconstruction and maintenance of mosques and religious buildings, allowing for safer places to worship and for community involvement.
REMEMBRANCE: HONOR AND REPRESENTATION AT HOME:
As previously mentioned, the Bosnian diaspora are numerous and scattered all around the world with a generous portion residing within the United States. Places including Saint Louis MO, Chicago IL, Jacksonville, FL, Atlanta, GA, and Phoenix, AZ have affluent Bosnian populations who own and run their own businesses, many falling into the service, food, transportation, and financial industries.
“Little Bosnia” better known as Saint Louis, Missouri, is home to the biggest Bosnian diaspora population with an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 residents. Here, Bosnian bakeries and restaurants are filled with people from all different walks of life, enjoying everything from Ćevapi (minced meat sausages) to tufahije (walnut-stuffed poached apple dessert) while surrounded by traditional decor, music, and exceptionally warm service.
Saint Louis is also the home to the replica of the Sebilj fountain. The Sebilj is a major attraction in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the main symbol of the city and its history. While the Sebilj in Sarajevo was built by the early Ottomans, the Sebilj replica in Saint Louis was funded and built by the Bosnian Diaspora in 2013 in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the city of Saint Louis. As a thank you to the city for welcoming them to their new home, the community came together to donate this replica during the dedication ceremony. With the mayor of the city and one of the members of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time in attendance, the event was unforgettable, with the mayor thanking the Bosnian community for the donation and for bringing new vitality to the city. The Sebilj in the Bevo Mill neighborhood stands proud, as a reminder to both diaspora and the rest of the residents of Saint Louis of the strength, resilience, and determination of BiH and its migrants.
FINAL INSIGHTS
Today, Bosnia is filled with citizens of all ages striving to better the country through all means necessary. The younger generations especially, are fueled by the optimism of a better Bosnia. Now, households are taking advantage of remittances and sending their children to college. Many of those who have earned degrees have started their own businesses from which they give back, investing in everything the diaspora does. It’s important to note that donating isn’t just money — it’s keeping roots alive and protecting memory. As long as the diaspora keeps doing their part and the citizens of Bosnia do theirs, the country will flourish.
Works Cited
“Bhaaas Experts Strengthening the Healthcare System in BiH: Knowledge Transfer Program Implemented at UKC Tuzla.” BHAAAS, 18 Nov. 2025, www.bhaaas.org/en/bhaaas-experts-strengthening-the-healthcare-system-in-bih-knowledge-transfer-program-implemented-at-ukc-tuzla.
“Diaspora Remittances to BiH Keep Growing, Remaining a Key Source of Foreign Inflows.” Sarajevo Times, 1 Feb. 2026, Diaspora Remittances to BiH Keep Growing, Remaining a Key Source of Foreign Inflows.
Oruc, Nermin. “Remittances and Development: The Case of Bosnia.” Ministarstvo Za Ljudska Prava i Izbjeglice, 2011, www.mhrr.gov.ba/iseljenistvo/Istrazivanja/default.aspx?id=1766&langTag=bs-BA#:~:text=Remittances%20to%20Bosnia,about%2095%20KM%20per%20month.
“USAID Diaspora Invest Poziva Stručnjake Iz Dijaspore Da Podrže Razvoj Privrede u Bih.” ZENIČKA RAZVOJNA AGENCIJA ZEDA, 20 Jan. 2025, zeda.ba/usaid-diaspora-invest-poziva-strucnjake-iz-dijaspore-da-podrze-razvoj-privrede-u-bih/.
Walker, Mike. “Sebilj of St. Louis | Atlas Obscura.” Sebilj of St. Louis, 14 Feb. 2025, www.atlasobscura.com/places/sebilj-of-st-louis.