Help the Diocese of Banja Luka Create a Sustainable Future

Story

Banja Luka Diocese, one of the poorest dioceses in Europe, devastated by war both in human and material terms, is striving to rebuild and existentially survive on its centuries-old homeland. To achieve this, it has initiated a sustainability project in which it envisions a brighter future.

Besides Banja Luka, within the city of Laktaši, on a hill above the airport, the diocese owns 13 hectares of land where the Mahovljani parish exists, with planted vineyards. Viticulture was initially intended to secure partial funds for the maintenance of the impoverished diocese. However, besides the vineyards, auxiliary infrastructure was never built, prompting the development of a comprehensive project to accomplish this goal.

The sustainability project is envisioned as a revival of the rich tradition brought to this Banja Luka region by the monks of the once-largest Trappist abbey in the world, Marija Zvijezda. The project aims to launch the production of various organic food products, beverages, high-quality hospitality and tourism services, and a spiritual oasis planned through an international center for youth—a unique project rarely seen in this region.

In order to realize the project, it is necessary to annex a neighboring property for which a contract has already been signed. This property, covering 12 hectares of land, has nearly half of the necessary infrastructure for further development. Economic and residential buildings, orchards, and vineyards with agricultural equipment have been constructed.

The payment for the agreed purchase of the property will kickstart the mentioned production and provide space for building a mountain village with around 30 cottages intended for the Youth Center and various other educational and social events. It will also include the construction of sports fields to complement the future center’s diverse offerings. Our targeted amount for this phase is 500,000 EUR, representing the first stage of the project.

The second phase involves building the entire infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage, telecommunications), road development, parking, foundations for installing prefabricated cottages, and completing the initiated winery. The targeted amount for this phase is an additional 700,000 EUR.

The third phase would include the purchase of prefabricated cottages for the mountain village and the construction of a restaurant (including rooms above), terraces offering a captivating view of the valley, and Bonaventura Resort (about 15 commercial mountain cottages also overlooking the valley), as well as a reception area and a shop for its own products, integral parts of such a center. The targeted amount for this phase is approximately 2,500,000 EUR.

This project is not only a guarantee of the survival of Banja Luka Diocese but also an incentive for part of the emigrated population to return to their homeland by participating in the further development of such projects. It aims to connect the entire territory of the diocese through projects and build a better and brighter future through coexistence and better tolerance of all people in this rather neglected and overlooked but resource-rich part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Therefore, we ask you to join the campaign with your voluntary contributions using the available payment options. If you wish to become partners, collaborators, or contributors in a special way, feel free to contact us, and we look forward to any form of collaboration.

Rewards for donors

• Digital thank-you card
  A personalized digital thank-you card with the bishop of Banja Luka Diocese’s signature. 
• Name on the donor wall
  Recognition by having a name featured on a donor wall at the completed project site.
• Logo on the donor wall
  Recognition by having a logo featured on a donor wall at the completed project site.
• A book about Blessed Ivan Merz
  A book about Blessed Ivan Merz with a dedication by the postulator.
• Personalized video message
  A personalized video message from the bishop of Banja Luka Diocese expressing gratitude for support.
• Weekend retreat package
  A weekend retreat package at the completed facility, allowing donors to experience firsthand the impact of their support.
• Event invitation
  Invitation to an event with special guests, where donors can meet key figures involved in the project.
• Sponsor a room
  Naming rights for a specific room or area within the completed facility.
• Participation in the project
  Invitation to participate in key decision-making discussions related to the utilization of funds.

Campaign leader

Father Ilija Kelić is the priest of the Banja Luka Diocese, manager of the Mahovljani Parish, and manager of the BonaVentura Center (Agricultural Cooperative Cellars of the Diocese of Banja Luka). Born on September 21, 1969, in Prisap, not far from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka Diocese. After completing his high school education, he went to study in Zagreb, where, after completing his studies, he began his successful business career, which lasted a full 22 years. In 2014, he left his business career, enrolled in theological studies, and began his priestly formation. He was ordained as a priest of the Banja Luka Diocese in 2022 and tries to transfer his rich business experience and knowledge to the self-sustainability project of the Banja Luka Diocese.

Franjo Komarica, bishop of Banja Luka Diocese, has granted his blessing and authorization to Father Ilija Kelić and Mr. Zoran Rajn to conduct fundraising activities on behalf of the Diocese. This endorsement ensures the legitimacy and official recognition of their efforts to collect funds for the Diocese’s essential projects.

We express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and participation in building a stronger and more vibrant community. May your kindness be a source of blessings, and may this crowdfunding endeavor bring about positive transformations within Banja Luka Diocese. – Franjo Komarica, Bishop of Banja Luka Diocese

Supportive words

On the whole, ‘sustainable development’ (as a kind of oxymoron!) today is explained as a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, technical development, and institutional changes (changes in the political, educational, legal, financial, and other systems!) should be in harmony with each other and enable the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of current and future generations. It can be said that ‘sustainable development’ represents a general direction, the aspiration to create a better, more ethical world, a world of balancing social and economic factors,… simply to preserve God’s world. – prof. Ivan Koprek SJ, PhD

Livno, where I was born, is in the Diocese of Banja Luka; that’s my diocese too!

The Diocese of Banja Luka is one of the poorest in Europe. The Diocese launched a self-sustainability project that will enable it to continue operating in the Banja Luka area and to do what is most important: help people and take care of their existence. Please give your support for this action. All the details can be found at the link below. – Zlatko Dalić, coach of the Croatian national football team

My husband is from Livno. Livno is in the Diocese of Banja Luka. That’s my diocese too!

The Diocese of Banja Luka is one of the poorest dioceses in Europe. The diocese launched a wonderful initiative, which is a self-sustainability project for the diocese. This project is not only important for the diocese itself but also for the entire region because the goal is to help people. Please give your support for this laudable initiative. All the details can be found at the link below. – Marija Husar Rimac, singer and composer

The Diocese of Banja Luka initiated a self-sustainability project in order to carry out its primary function of providing aid to people. Please support this action; the link below has all the details. – Mateo Kovačić, a Croatian football representative and Manchester City player

The crowdfunding campaign “Help the Diocese of Banja Luka Create a Sustainable Future” is not just a call for donations; it is an opportunity to join forces in building permanent foundations for the spiritual, cultural, and economic development of the Diocese of Banja Luka. Let’s support the Diocese in creating a strong and long-term sustainable community! – Zoran Rajn, ICFC

How to donate (it’s simple!)

In order to make a successful payment, it is necessary to:
1. If you are on a laptop, select the desired payment amount on the right margin of the campaign page or select an arbitrary amount in the page header, and if you are on the mobile version, select the desired amount at the beginning or scroll to the bottom of the campaign page;
2. enter the requested personal data in the form;
3. select the desired payment method:
a) Mastercard®, Maestro® or Visa card (Monri option);
b) Cryptocurrency via PayCek;
c) KEKS Pay;
d) Airchash;
e) General payment slip or internet or mobile banking.
4. confirm the payment according to further instructions of the platform.

After the payment has been made, it is necessary to wait a certain time until the payment is processed and recorded on the campaign page. Payments made by general payment slip or internet/mobile banking are recorded within 1 to 2 working days, and payments made by cards, cryptocurrencies, Aircash or KEKS Pay within 1 to 12 hours.

For additional technical inquiries regarding payment, please contact us through the e-mail address info@bonafidesinvest.eu or the phone number +385 (0)98 611 467.

We take this opportunity to thank ZABA Bank and Monri, which enabled payment with Mastercard®, Maestro® and Visa cards, Erste Bank which enabled payment with application KEKS Pay, Airchash Ltd. which enabled payment with Aircash mobile wallet, and Electrocoin and PayCek, which enabled payment with cryptocurrencies. We also thank the hosting company MyDataKnox for maintaining the server.

Contact

Organization: Cellars of the Banja Luka Diocese
Address: Mahovljani BB, 78250 Laktaši, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Representative: Father Ilija Kelić
PIN: 4402686690003
E-mail: info@bonaventura.ba
Mobile: +387 65 806 090
Website: https://www.bonaventura.ba/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080828465578&mibextid=kFxxJD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinarija_bonaventura/?igsh=MWE5N2JrbnZqdWIwNg%3D%3D
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1fNFYVfxY-xXjCse9YYPMg