EU financing a Project to strengthen social Protection for Women in Ten Local Communities in BiH

Today, at the headquarters of the Delegation of European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of a project financed by the European Union titled “Providing Assistance to Vulnerable Women and Developing an Integrated Social Protection Program”, a ceremony was held to award vouchers for EU grants to 10 local communities in BiH. On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the project implementing partners – the “Women from Una“ Association and Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with units of local self-governance that were awarded the grants: Bihać, Gacko, Tuzla, Olovo, Vlasenica, Bijeljina, Sapna, Derventa, Novi Grad and Gradiška.

This Memorandum formalizes the cooperation of the partner organizations within a new initiative financed by the EU, the purpose of which is to improve the socio-economic conditions and social inclusion of vulnerable women in 10 local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project represents a significant step forward in transforming the lives of vulnerable women often faced with discrimination, poverty and exclusion. It will help them gain a stronger voice in their communities and provide them with the tools to achieve greater self-reliance. It is designed to address the needs of these women directly, by strengthening local institutions, empowering civil society and promoting grassroots initiatives that advocate for a sustainable reform of the social protection system.

 “With this initiative, we are strengthening ten local communities to provide concrete assistance, so that women can free themselves from the cycle of violence and exclusion. This project strengthens local capacities for providing basic services such as support to the victims, legal assistance, protective measures and safe accommodation. I am proud that the European Union is providing 165,000 Euros in grants to help these communities improve the lives of women at the local level. The EU stands firmly behind this goal, and together we can create a safer and more just society for women and girls in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communications and Spokesperson of the EU Delegation in BiH.

The support provided by the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina through this project is focused on the immediate needs of our population, as well as the long-term reforms that should contribute to a sustainable social protection system in our country and the achievement of EU standards in the area of gender equality and social inclusion.

"Through this EU project, the German non-governmental organization Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB) continues its long-standing cooperation with units of local self-governance throughout BiH, its BiH civil society partners, as well as state-level authorities, all with the goal of supporting the most vulnerable groups in the country“, said Elmir Bojadžić, Regional Director of Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund for Southeast Europe.

“Based on analyses of local priorities and the current needs of vulnerable women in selected units of local self-governance, grants of of 16,500 Euros were awarded as support to local initiatives for the protection of fundamental social rights of vulnerable groups of women”, said Aida Behrem, Executive Director of the “Women from Una” Association.

The project “Providing Assistance to Vulnerable Women and Developing an Integrated Social Protection Program” is financed by the European Union in the amount of 550,000 Euros with the aim of empowering marginalized women and strengthening social protection in local communities in BiH. This initiative is aligned with the broader agenda of EU integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and financed within the EUforInclusion program.