Socio-Economic Inclusion
From war recovery to reconstruction, from healing to new opportunities. Throughout history, the Balkans have been an intersection of cultural, economic and social mixing. Lessons of the past and lessons for the future both play important roles in people’s lives. This includes the actions of individuals who stood up for their rights, challenged traditional norms and made decisions that positively influenced their families, communities and societies. It also includes the consequences of the ethnic conflict that gripped the region between 1991 and 1999. The wars in the former Yugoslavian countries had resulted in large population displacements, mass atrocities, countless cases of gender-based violence and sexual abuse. Violence within communities and families tore the social fabric; many of its effects are still visible today. In a way, the past, the present and the future of the Balkans all exist simultaneously.
Roma Rights and Inclusion
The Roma constitute the poorest and most marginalised ethnic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo. All available socio- economic indicators demonstrate that their situation in sectors such as education, housing, health and employment is far worse than the situation of the majority population and of other ethnic groups. This situation is recognised by the governments, which have initiated or participated in several initiatives to improve the situation of the Roma. Thus, through its engagement, CARE seeks to establish an effective and inclusive mechanism for implementation and monitoring of the national and local strategies and action plans in the fields of employment, housing, health and education through support, institutional strengthening and capacity-building of both governments and non-governmental actors with particular focus on Roma youth activists and leaders.
The programming supported by: European Union
Civil Society Development
CARE’s projects seek to increase stability and peace as well as promote a culture of human rights and strengthen capacities of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to provide social services. The complementary services CSOs provide are invaluable for the most vulnerable groups and individuals. In that respect, providing support to CSOs that implement activities and provide social protection services for the most vulnerable and marginalised population represents invaluable contribution to the society. CARE works with organisations that support and provide shelter to women victims of violence, people with disabilities, LGBTQI population and vulnerable children. By making these non-governmental service providers strong actors in the realm of social welfare and social protection and by contributing to professionalization of respected CSOs, CARE projects give a significant contribution to the socio-economic inclusion and poverty reduction.
The programming has throughout the years been supported by various foundations and donors including European Union, Austrian Development Agency, Czech Development Agency etc..
