We are happy to announce that ASB SEE has just launched its new project „United Against Domestic Violence in the Western Balkans – Regional Cooperation and Support to Safe Houses for Victims of Domestic Violence”, funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The project will be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, supporting safe houses in 11 municipalities.
A few days ago, our team from Sarajevo visited the Association Budućnost from Modrica and signed a partnership agreement for the project in total amount of 29.000 EUR to be allocated to this non-government organization. “Buducnost” is one of our three partners from BiH, willing to co-finance the project in the amount of 5.000 EUR.
The Association Buducnost was founded in 1996, soon after the war in BiH ended. According to Gordana Vidović, the Director of the Association, their main goal was to help vulnerable women. “We were stronger than all the differences that were imposed on us and the divisions that none of us wanted. The Association Budućnost has united the divided in their suffering and we are proud that for two decades now we have broken down the barriers, changed laws and helped the most vulnerable.” After years of providing various types of legal aid, they opened the first safe house for victims of violence in Republika Srpska.
Other than providing psychological, legal and medical assistance to hundreds of women and children victims of violence, the Association “Budućnost” participated in the adoption of numerous amendments to respective laws regarding the protection of victims of violence, launched a free SOS hotline (1264), which is available to victims 24/7, organized a series of humanitarian actions, and opened the first Male Center in BiH. Their experts provide psycho-social treatment for men who have already committed violence, but also conduct preventive activities intended for all men from the community, because without this specific effort, any work on the complete elimination of violence would be incomplete.
In addition to construction works on shelter facilities, ASB SEE will provide support to all project partners through organizing tailor-made training sessions for employees of safe houses, as well as active network for cooperation with representatives of other safe houses in West Balkan region.
Vital part of the project is the regional cooperation in the area, that will be “sealed” by a regional conference, with the focus on making recommendations for the effective functioning of safe houses, exchanging experiences and best practices, as well as raising awareness of the challenges they cope with on daily basis.
Follow us for more, as we are now in the process of signing partnership agreements with other partners on the project throughout the Western Balkans.
ASB is a German aid and welfare organisation, engaged in areas such as civil protection, rescue services and social welfare services. As a non-political organisation, ASB has, since its foundation in 1888, provided rapid and direct help to all those in need of our support.
Address:
ASB SEE Main Office Sarajevo, Aleja Bosne Srebrene 4, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel:
+387 (0)33 468 366
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