The foundation of the Civic Dialogue initiative is based upon the experiences of the Igman Initiative in its work on normalization of relations and reconciliation within the Dayton Triangle. Founded in November, 2000, this Initiative is a movement of over 140 NGOs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro.

The mission of the Igman Initiative is to promote and facilitate local and regional dialogue in the fields of politics, economy and culture; to promote confidence building and advocacy of democratic values; to monitor and apply positive pressure on the Dayton Triangle governments to bring about a faster normalization of relations; to confront and question governmental policies when human rights are violated; to create a space in which people can openly express opinions, feel comfortable responding to one another and act on behalf of their communities; and, finally to foster initiatives in Southeastern Europe to help this region become a zone of peace, cooperation and tolerance with open borders.

Since its inception five years ago, the Igman Initiative has been very successful in carrying out programs of varying sizes and scopes. Initiative members have successfully lobbied for the removal of the visa regimes between the countries of the Dayton Triangle. The Initiative has successfully brought together the heads of states to agree on concrete steps towards normalization of relations. In addition, the Initiative is currently working on a program developing a model for reconciliation for implementation in the region.

It is in this spirit that Civic Dialogue was founded.