The Derby Bosnia-Herzegovina Community Association (DBHCA) is glad to announce its partnership with the University of Derby on an exciting new research project:

“CONNECTING SOLIDARITIES – An exploration of refugee-led solidarity through community archiving, social mapping and public exhibition.”

About the project

Marking the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War, this community-based initiative will explore and celebrate the history of the Derby Bosnia-Herzegovina Community Association. Through a public exhibition, we aim to share the experiences of the Bosnian community in Derby and showcase the many ways DBHCA has supported and engaged with the wider public over the years.

As part of the project, members of the Bosnian community in Derby — as well as individuals who have engaged with DBHCA throughout the years — will be invited to take part in interviews and collaborative workshops. We’ll be drawing on material from the DBHCA archive to spark memories and conversations, which will help shape the exhibition content.

Two dedicated workshops will focus on creating visual maps that highlight the connections DBHCA has formed with other communities and organisations.

The final exhibition will be displayed at Artcore in Derby and at the UK Bosnia and Herzegovina Network in Birmingham during the summer of 2026.

Get involved

We would love to hear from you.

If you have been involved with DBHCA over the years — whether as a member of the Bosnian community, a volunteer, or a collaborator — we invite you to share your story. You can do this by taking part in an interview with a member of the research team or by joining one of our collaborative workshops.

To express your interest, simply get in touch with a member of the research team.

Your participation will help us to document the journeys and contributions of those who arrived in Derby as refugees, and to understand how DBHCA’s work has evolved since its founding.

Why This Matters

The insights gathered through this project will help DBHCA reflect on and communicate its history, while also illustrating the social and geographic impact of its community support.

Importantly, this research will offer valuable lessons to other refugee-led organisations, community practitioners, and policymakers. It will demonstrate how the successful integration of one refugee community can foster greater social cohesion and reduce the isolation often felt by newly arrived individuals.

Research team

Associate Professor Larissa Allwork l.allwork@derby.ac.uk

Associate Professor Alessio D’Angelo a.dangelo@derby.ac.uk

Dr Giulia Levi g.levi@derby.ac.uk

Ferid Kevric, now retired founder of DBHCA, who will work as a Community Liaison Consultant bihcommderby@hotmail.com

Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board, which supports the development of this project, includes experts in migration and forced displacement, social policy, exhibition making, and Bosnian history.

This project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, will run from May 2025 to October 2026.

PROJECT LAUNCH EVENT

Join us for the launch event to find out more about the project, about the history of the Bosnian community in Derby and for a taste of delicious Bosnian food. Everybody is welcome!

Tuesday, 10th of June 2025, 4-6pm

Bosnia & Herzegovina Centre, 99 Curzon St, Derby DE1 1LN