Fish Farm in Bistricak, Zenica
In 1996, IR repaired a state fishery in the area of Zenica which was ruined during the war. The production had plummeted to a mere 6.7% of the pre-war figure.

This project aimed to provide assistance to displaced and returnee population by generating a sustainable form of income from the proceedings of the fish farm.

It also aimed to provide a much-needed, locally produced source of nutritious food and to improve the nutrition intakes of the most poor and sick. Additionally, schools and hospitals in the area used the affordable product of the farm for their meals.

The Women's Community and Training Center (WCTC)
In 1996, the WCTC was opened in Tuzla. It acted as a social and educational center for women badly affected by the war. It provided women with useful skills like language, computer and various other types of vocational training.

The WCTC is only one example of more projects that target women. The most recent project offered refugee women a three months training in Bosnian Handicrafts through a local NGO. Currently, their products are being sold for fair prices through an outlet in Bašcaršija

Minority Return and Reintegration Project
This project helped returnees to Eastern Republika Srpska to reconstruct their houses. Because houses alone do not guarantee the sustainability of the return process, attention was paid to schools and clinics too.

Between 1999 and 2001 Islamic Relief reconstructed 413 war-damaged houses in Zvornik, Vlasenica, Milici, Bratunac and Srebrenica. In some areas, this was done in co-operation with the German NGO Cap Anamur and with the Irish NGO GOAL.

Cattle Restocking Project for Returnees and Orphan Families
This microcredit programme distributed a total of 458 inseminated cows to poor rural families between 1998-2000 in the cantons of Zenica-Doboj, Tuzla-Podrinje, Hercegovina-Neretva and Sarajevo.

The total value of the loans was more than five hundred thousand US dollars. The idea was to help the poorest segments of the society to have a source of nutrition and income

Local NGO Support
IR is also assisting in supporting the work of local NGOs. In 2001, Islamic Relief has sponsored a training programme implemented by a local NGO called Bosnian Handicrafts in Tuzla.

Around 40 refugee women received training over a three month period in knitting clothing for export. More than half of those who participated in the training programme now have full-time employment.

School Reconstruction
So far, IR reconstructed schools in Kula Grad (which also involved the rehabilitation of the ambulance building), Križivice and Popov Most. Currently IR is working on the reconstruction of two schools in Sokolac and Gornje Bioca