Videoletters began as a documentary project. To connect more individuals and build on the videoletters as a reconciliation tool, the programme has incorporated other communication strategies.

People who have lost contact during the wars in the former Yugoslavia are invited to make a video letter for a family member, friend or colleague who they have lost contact with since the war. This video letter is then brought to the addressee, the recipient often replies and, if possible, the two parties meet. The first 20 video letters and the responses were compiled into a documentary series which was broadcast on television. The Videoletters (V*TV) series consists of 20 episodes. According to the project website, all public television stations in the former Yugoslavia broadcast the television series simultaneously. In each 25-minutes episode two former friends, neighbours, lovers, or colleagues who were separated by war, exchange video letters. After the exchange they often meet, for the first time since the war. To help support people who experience strong emotions or traumas after seeing a broadcast, telephone helplines will be open after each broadcast. A series of exchanges have also been shown in film festivals worldwide.

To reach out to more individuals and communities, the Videoletters Caravan (V*Caravan) conducts tours in the countries of former Yugoslavia. The team travels with famous musicians and conducts projects for children, public screenings and discussions. The caravan is equipped with computers with video cameras and internet connection to enable people to record their video letters, set them up on the website and help them in their search for friends, relatives, former neighbours, etc. The caravan also encourages mayors of these towns to send video letters to former brother-towns. As a part of the caravan the action 'Dreamflags' are also organised where children from elementary schools draw their dreams on flags and then send them with an accompanying videoletter to a school in another town.

Videoletters Counters (V*Counters) are also available at locations in various countries that act as meeting points where people can access internet and webcams free of charge.
Click here for a list of contacts.

The project also includes an interactive website which, through the use of blogs and emails, provides further means of communication. Individuals may become members of Videoletters.Net website. After creating an account, members can make their own web page; search for old school and army friends in the database and begin to make new friends accross the region. Members are encouraged to write and exchange stories about people, cities, past, and future, write a weblog; make a video letter; and participate in online discussions.

Post-Conflict Reconciliation