The conference “Healthy lifestyles through gender equality”, which aims to improve the capacity of Roma civil society organizations, and the promotion of equality, healthy and non-violent lifestyles with the application of tested models and approaches, was held today in Bijeljina.

The conference was organized by CARE International in cooperation with representatives of partner organizations Association of Roma Women OSVIT Niš, Republic of Serbia; UG OTAHARIN Bijeljina, BiH and the Association Center for Roma Initiatives Nikšić, Montenegro, through the third phase of the project “For Active Inclusion and the Rights of Roma Women in the Western Balkans III” (FAIR III) funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

“Joint cooperation that gives great results is needed and highly valued. And it is important that we look at each other equally”, said Jadranka Miličević, FAIR III project manager, CARE International. 

Ana Saćipović, director of the Association of Roma Women OSVIT in Niš said that through this project childern have been animated to get involved, to think, to be proactive, to make decisions that will have long-term benefits for themselves.  

“I am proud of the entire CRI team, because without a team that had the will and strength, we would not be able to bring all the changes necessary for the Roma and Egyptian community,” said Fana Delija, coordinator of the Center for Roma Initiatives in Niksic.

From other side Sanita Nukić, pedagogue of Gymnasium Visoko said that she is especially proud of the motivation and support of Roma students to continue their education. 

“I am proud of the idea of socializing and joint plans that young people forge during socializing, which resulted in the formation of a new youth organization in Visoko. And I think we will still be proud of what we have done”, said Mladen Đurić, project coordinator, Association OTAHARIN in Bijeljina.

Project activities in the period 2019-2021. were focused on the following key activities: capacity building of Roma CSOs to help them move to a higher level of competence, based on educational community interventions implementing CARE’s proven methodologies, enabling Roma communities, especially women and children, access to public services and support further connect and integrate partner CSOs into relevant regional and European movements.