SOCIAL
Pages
Recent news
- Shadow Report
- Iris Network Conference 2025 Bridging Societies: The Social Dimension of Western Balkans EU Approximation
- Regional Social Academy in Bečići, Montenegro: Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights in the Western Balkans
- Newsletter No 2 – Insights and Recommendations from IRIS Progress Project
- Open Now – Call for Applications – Regional Social Academy 2025 Deadline April 11, 2025
Regional training program „Efficient management – better services“, Igalo
/0 Comments/in News /byRegional training program „Efficient management – better services“ for members of Bosnian and Montenegro national networks has started today in Igalo, Montenegro at Hotel “Simo Milosevic”. This is second block of this seminar, which was already held for CSOs from Croatia and Serbia at Lake Palic, last week. Training program for organizations, members of Kosovo national network, will be held from 14-18. of July in Prishitna.
Representatives of CSOs, members of Iris network form Bosnia and Montenegro will discuss and improve their knowledge of management of civil society organizations, positioning to the target group and market, financial management, strategic planning, methods of financing, advocacy for the improvement of social services, projects writing and implementation in this five-day seminar. After concluding the seminar, these representatives will gather again on the 25th of July to discuss project proposals for applications for grants under the project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional Civil Society networks” implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund and funded by European Union
This training seminar is also preparation for members of the IRIS network on how to develop good project proposals for our applications for grants under the project “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional Civil Society networks” implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund SEE and funded by the European Union. Call for proposals is opened until 5th of August , and the best twenty project proposals will receive a grant in of 3000 euros for project implementation.
Regional training program „Efficient management – better services“, Lake Palic
/0 Comments/in News /byRegional training program „Efficient management – better services“ has started today in Lake Palic, Hotel Park. Around 55 representatives of CSOs, members of Croatian and Serbian national networks gathered for five-day seminar to discuss and improve their knowledge of management of civil society organizations, positioning to the target group and market, financial management, strategic planning, methods of financing,advocacy for the improvement of social services, projects writing and implementation.
The main objective of the training seminar is to improve the quality of social services through the empowerment of the local, grass-root organizations. Most of these organizations are constantly facing great financial problems with the lack of good organizational management. Exchanging good practices and with good theoretical support, these organizations will be able to increase the range and quality of their services . Increasing the capacity of CSOs will enable the voices of people who want to influence the reform of the public sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy to be heard. This will ensure a high level of quality in the provision of social services for vulnerable groups (people with disability, children and youth at risk, victims of gender-based violence, domestic violence, refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups).
This training seminar is also a seminar preparation for members of the IRIS network on how to develop good project proposals for our applications for grants under the “Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional Civil Society networks” implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund SEE and funded by the European Union. Call for proposals is opened until 5th of August , and the best twenty project proposals will receive a grant in of 3000 euros for project implementation.
Public hearing, Bosnia and Herzegovina
/0 Comments/in News /byIn premises of the City Youth Centre Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the 28th of April, partner LIR Civil Society organized public hearing based on results and recommendation of the “Comparative Analysis of the Role of Civil Society in Providing Social Welfare Services in the Western Balkans”. Main objective of the hearing was to present recommendations for advocacy in order to improve the delivery of social services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to highlight the importance of the role of NGOs in the provision of social services and the need of strengthening the partnership between the government and the NGO sector.
Representatives of Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, from two entities and Brcko district, came to give their support to this project and IRIS network, and also to participate in discussion about future collaboration between civil society and government. About sixty representatives of civil sector and members of IRIS network took part in public hearing, amongst which IRIS partners presented concluded activities and results in project Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional Civil Society networks” so far.
Natasa Stevanovic, Chief of Department for social protection and health, Brcko district, explained gathered about the system of quality control service providers and future plans related to the Brcko District which was followed by the presentation of the system of quality control service providers and future plans in this area in the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Amongst key speakers were :
– Olivera Mastikosa , National Coordinator for improvement people with disabilities in the area of social protection and coordinator for cooperation with partners in CSR, Republika Srpska,
– Dobrica Jonjic Assistant Minister of the Department for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities and the protection of civilian victims of war, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
– Marina Lučić, Coordinator of the project, Youth centre “Vermont Brčko”,
– Mirsada Bajramović, manager of the association „Zemlja djece“ Tuzla,
– Maša Mirković, excutive director of “Nova Generacija”, Banja Luka,
Other respected participants from Government institutions were:
– Sakib Alebegovic Assistant to Minister of Ministry of health, work and social politics of Una Sana Canton (FBiH);
– Sulejman Alijagic, Assistant to the Minister, Federal Ministry for displaced persons and refugees, also Associates for BiH;
– Zlata Papric, director for Centar for mental health, Brcko District;
– Stela Dukic, Assistant to the Ministry for work, social protection and refugees Zenica-Doboj Canton;
– Blaz Zuparic, Minister of health, work and social politics Posavski Canton;
– Azem Poljic Assistant to the Minister of Ministry for work, social protection and return;
Public speaking was concluded with a discussion on the best ways to improve the quality control system of social welfare services in the public and NGO sector in which many participants had the opportunity to express their views and recommendations.
Stories of Hope – RUHAMA
/0 Comments/in News /byRUHAMA- Bringing a ray of light into the lives of people in need
Humanitarian organization „RUHAMA“ became member of Bosnian national network in November 2013. This NGO has been dedicated in helping socially most handicapped population, the old and disable people for ten years. This is the only organization in Zenica-Doboj Canton for Health and Palliative Care for people above the age of 60 years. The Team of 12 doctors, 12 nurses, 90 volunteers (from 12 to 22 years), social worker physician, lawyer and craftsman (plumber and electrician) has been carrying out all services of supporting people in need. The specific objective of program „ Home Care“ is continuation of regular and systematic support to the home visiting program , run by Ruhamas medical team and volunteers, and it includes the following : Help in the house, medical care, dentist, personal hygiene, recreational and educational center.
From many patients Ruhama Centar and their specialists took care for in the last year, one elderly lady made extraordinary progress. This is her story.
– Two middle-aged woman brought their mother from Sarajevo, which is away from Zenica 80km. They begged for help to their mother, who had a severe stroke, fed with feeding tube and was in a semi-conscious state. They were stressed and through tears explained that the doctor said that their mother will live just one to two more weeks. Specialists fro Ruhama promised these two ladies that they will do everything in their power to help their mother, but with a touch of suspicion, because the old lady was really in a very difficult situation with all forms of long-term complications of decompensation (decubital wounds, thrombosis, pneumonia) .
After standard admission procedures in Ruhama, physicians reviewed patient records, discharge papers and other medical reports and opened a medical card and planned implementation of health care for this 72 years old lady.Every day is the therapy had an adequate diet that is made for individuals who feed on the tube. Continuous staff in a light and calming ambience discussed with patient though she was in a semi-conscious state. After some time the old woman was first opened her eyes and began to respond to their inquiries. The physical therapist started working with her and she slowly started sitting and learning to walk again. Defectologist was also in the team and was trying to eliminate speech disturbances, because she had aphasia (damage of the speech center). Complete treatment, which lasted a year has led to the success of this old lady: she talked, walked up and started to react to what is happening around her.
This is only one successful example which would not happen if project „Improving the provision of Social Service Delivery in South Eastern Europe through the empowerment of national and regional CSO networks“ wasn’t recognized as important by the European Union.
Stories of hope – OCI/OGI
/0 Comments/in News /byGranny Milica and her geronto family
Organization for Civil Initiatives, member and partner of IRIS network, has been implementing Ministry’s of family, defenders and inter-generation solidarity program “Helping at home to elderly persons” in the areas of municipality of Kistanje and Promina where share of elderly and disabled persons, in total population, is very high. Most of the older population in these areas live in hard conditions and cannot use institutional types of care for elderly and disabled.
Implementation of this program has greatly improved the lives of beneficiaries, from which many weren’t able to carry out basic life needs. Particular problem is that, these municipalities are pretty far from bigger cities like Knin, Šibenk and Drniš (cca 20km).
To all the beneficiaries of the program, contractors of the program, on everyday basis, carry out administrative tasks (personal documents, health insurance, orthopedic help, social care, Caritas, Red Cross), deliver the medicines or supplies to them or as needed, take them to the doctor.
One of fifty beneficiaries of the program, in the area of municipality of Kistanje is granny Milica Vranjković from Smrdelje. A place 15km away from Kistanje. This fragile older lady is born in 1927, lives alone, has no pension and receives social benefits in the amount of 80 EUR per month. Her health is seriously disrupted and no one comes to visit her except from the employees of the program “Helping at home to elderly and disabled”. Recently, she was sick with a cold, but didn’t want to go to hospital. She just kept saying she’ll get out of bed if her’s Rada and Dušanka come to see her (Rada and Dušanka are her geronto housewives) and sit with her, and when her handyman Ilija (also a person from the program) prepares the firewood. When needed the drove her to the doctor in Kistanje, brought her medicines and supplies and made her meals. The workers visit her even after their work time because this older woman considers them as her family. Beside the friendship and warm words, she feels like can count on them. She takes her indigence much easier because they help her with house work and personal hygiene. Every day, nanny Milica stands with her cane by the window and waits for Rada, Dušanka and Ilija.
The social dimension of EU Enlargement
/0 Comments/in News /byOn Tuesday 1 April, the round table ‘The social dimension of EU Enlargement’ organized by the IRIS Network, SOLIDAR, ASB South East Europe (SEE) and FEPS took place in the European Parliament involving MEPs Knut Fleckenstein, Maria Eleni Koppa and Marino Baldini and representatives of DGs Employment and Social Affairs and Enlargement. The main questions for the debate concerned the latest developments since the adoption of the EP resolution on enlargement (based on the report of MEP Maria Eleni Koppa) in 2013 which highlighted the neglect of the social dimension of the EU enlargement process.
Participants from the IRIS Network highlighted measures that are needed to be put in place, in order to strengthen the social dimension of the EU Enlargement process and to enhance the socio-economic transformation of candidate countries. And good practices were presented that showcase how civil society organizations are working to advance social cohesion and active inclusion in the Balkan. In addition, the IRIS Network’s book “Comparative Analysis of the Role of Civil Society in Providing Social Welfare Services in the Western Balkans” was presented.
The comparative analysis presents the legal and institutional framework for the provision of social service by civil society organisations in the Western Balkans and their role in this field. The situation in each country is described in special chapters together with recommendations and examples of good practices. Partcipants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia discussed the following general conclusions and recommendations outlined in the baseline study to:
In 2014 IRIS Network plans to continue working together with the SOLIDAR and other members and partners to enhance the socio-economic transformation of candidate countries, the revitalisation of socio-economic rights through chapters 23 and 24 and the Europeanisation of a strong social model.
*Article from http://www.solidar.org/The-social-dimension-of-EU.html