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Author: WeBalkans

Promoting Healthy Growth and Development in Sarajevo’s Preschools

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

An EU funded project empowers educators and parents for optimal child development in Municipality Centar Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 2019, the Institute for Population and Development (IPD), a civil society organization from Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted a survey involving 127 educators in Sarajevo Canton. The aim was to identify their requirements for additional professional support in implementing the program for healthy growth and development, which receives backing from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Sarajevo Canton. During this process, IPD recognized the necessity for ongoing work with preschool children. Utilizing the 2019 survey findings and with the guidance of experts, they developed an educational package to enhance the emotional and social skills of children.

This package was specifically designed to address the needs of parents and educators. To provide proper guidance on its utilization and effectively cater to the needs of children aged four to six, IPD launched an additional project titled “Promoting Healthy Growth and Development of Children in Preschool Institutions in the Municipality Center Sarajevo.” This project is being implemented as part of the ReLOaD2 programme, which is financially supported by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“We have created the ‘Healthy Growth and Development’ web platform, enabling parents to participate in online training courses and gain practical insights they can practice together with their children.”

According to project coordinator Amer Džekman, the initiative encompasses 19 preschool institutions and involves 50 educators from this Municipality. These educators participated in two-day workshops aimed at enhancing their skills and competencies required for project implementation. Each preschool institution received a “kindergarten box” containing a selection of practical tools that facilitate engagement with children. Notably, the kindergarten boxes include dolls named Hana and Dado, which have become an integral part of the children’s daily lives in the Municipality Center Sarajevo.

Džekman elucidates that these dolls serve as a playful means for educators to impart valuable guidance on healthy growth and development. Through play, children effortlessly grasp the concepts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the kindergarten boxes feature worksheets, posters, picture cards, and emotion cards that align with the project’s activities. Moreover, Džekman emphasizes the crucial role of parental involvement in project implementation. “We have created the ‘Healthy Growth and Development’ web platform, enabling parents to participate in online training courses and gain practical insights they can practice together with their children,” Džekman explains.

“Physical violence tends to manifest later among boys, while various forms of verbal violence dominate among girls. Boys who experience early-age physical violence are twice as likely to become abusers themselves, engaging in fights, carrying weapons, and displaying violent behavior in relationships. These concerns emphasize the importance of implementing programs that share common goals with ‘Healthy Growth and Development’ during early childhood.”

About the project

The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of EU-supported initiatives – Local Democracy Strengthening Project (LOD, 2009-2016) and the subsequently expanded Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD, 2017-2020). As the previous ones, this project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). ReLOaD2 is implemented in the Western Balkans, in particular Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

A total of 150 parents have completed the online training course on “Healthy Growth and Development,” with over 200 accessing consultation and support services through the IPD Facebook platform “Parent Advisors.”

Maja Alihodžić, a mother whose child participated in the program, expressed how the training has helped parents overcome daily challenges in raising their little ones. “For the first time, I felt that children were being treated and spoken to differently. The advice we received greatly assisted in addressing various topics while promoting open conversation and learning together. I believe we now have a better understanding of each other, and I feel more equipped to handle different situations. I hope similar programs will be available in primary schools, making parent participation and child education a standard practice in all educational institutions,” Alihodžić shares.

IPD highlights an increase in violence, harassment, and verbal abuse among both boys and girls, even in lower grades of elementary school. Džekman notes, “Physical violence tends to manifest later among boys, while various forms of verbal violence dominate among girls. Boys who experience early-age physical violence are twice as likely to become abusers themselves, engaging in fights, carrying weapons, and displaying violent behavior in relationships. These concerns emphasize the importance of implementing programs that share common goals with ‘Healthy Growth and Development’ during early childhood,” adds Džekman.

He further asserts that educating children about healthy lifestyles should be systematically integrated into all childcare institutions and agencies. The provision of quality education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle align with the United Nations’ Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, supported by the EU-funded ReLOaD2 project.

BIRN Macedonia Holds Digital Rights Training for Journalists

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BIRN Macedonia organized a training on Digital Rights for Journalists between June 8-10 in Mavrovo, North Macedonia. The training was designed to shed light on digital rights and equip journalists with skills and tools to cover stories stemming from this increasingly important topic. Trainers included prominent legal and privacy experts as well as experts for FOIA and senior BIRN journalists. All training sessions were interactive and included numerous examples and exercises. The participants came from various North Macedonian media outlets including Lice v lice, Koha, MRT, Klan TV, Pari and Duma.

 

The training comprised seven sessions: Introduction to digital rights; privacy and protection of personal data; public interest versus protection of personal data; how to use open databases; how BIRN categorizes and documents violations of digital rights; fact-checking tools and techniques; and misinformation and manipulations on social networks. A separate session was dedicated to a case study about identity theft.Each session included theoretical and practical elements that provided the participants with a better understanding of the concepts presented. The participants found the training to be highly informative and beneficial and they particularly appreciated the practical nature of the sessions, which allowed them to apply the knowledge gained during the training immediately. They also commended the trainers’ expertise and ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.

 

The training was organized as part of the “Reporting Digital Rights and Freedoms” project, funded by the European Union.

100 km of regional roads in Albania to be reconstructed this year with EU support

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Close to 100 km of local and regional roads in Albania are currently being reconstructed or extended, as part of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Union (EU)-supported programme to improve connectivity to local tourist sites and the quality of the country’s tourism offer, boosting one of its key sectors.  
The programme, to which the EBRD is contributing €60 million in loans and the EU €40 million in grants, finances the rehabilitation of cultural and natural heritage sites and upgrading of municipal and environmental infrastructure across the country, as well as regional transport links to improve accessibility to certain tourist sites and villages. The programme also supports local small businesses active in the tourism value chain with targeted financing and advisory services, helping improve the overall competitiveness of the sector.  
Moreover, the EBRD and EU are also working with the Albanian government on improving the responsiveness of the education system to the needs of the labour market in the tourism and hospitality sector. The newly created Sector Skills Council in Tourism and Hospitality in Albania will help establish a list of the professional and vocational qualifications that are most urgently needed by tour operators, hotels and other tourism firms in Albania, and promote those qualifications in the local education system.

Closing the screening meetings of Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth cluster with Albania and North Macedonia

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Today, the European Commission held the last bilateral meeting of the screening process with Albania and North Macedonia on this Cluster 3 of the EU acquis. Experts from the European Commission, Albania and North Macedonia have been exchanging on countries’ levels of preparedness and discussing on authorities’ plans to further align with the EU acquis.

 

Cluster 3 on Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth encompasses digital transformation and media, science and research, enterprise, and industrial policy. It also covers social policy and employment, and education and culture, as well as customs union, economic and monetary policy, and taxation.

 

Eight bilateral screening meetings were held between European Commission officials and representatives of Albania and North Macedonia examining the state of play of both countries. The next step in the screening of cluster 3 will be the European Commission report to the Council on the degree of preparedness of Albania and North Macedonia for accession on this cluster, their plans for future work on this, and on preliminary indications of the issues that might arise during the negotiations.

 

The Council will decide, by unanimity, whether to define opening benchmarks for each negotiating cluster, on the basis of the proposal from the Commission in the screening report.

Dive into the exciting world of EU Green Week

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This week at Europe House, there was a true celebration of nature, sustainability, and fun for everybody. With a wide range of events and activities, EU Green Week captured everyone’s hearts. A Workshop on Green Skills was held, during which youth worker Ivana Fuštić spoke to the youngsters at Europe House. She explained to them how to love nature and how to protect the environment. Marija Marković, better known as Marun, showed pupils what kokedamas are and how to make a terrarium. Through play, the children created spaces for whole little worlds, for grass, animals, and flowers inside the glass containers. The pupils created their own unique terrarium, which they will use to observe nature in a fascinating and extraordinary way.

 

The colour green also took over our social media feeds because of the greenest photo contest, “What’s Green in Your Week?” We received photos of nature from a whopping 100 participants. The winners of the photo contest were rewarded with Marun’s plants. This recognition will encourage them to continue exploring nature and nurturing their love for the environment.

 

In addition, in collaboration with the UNDP Montenegro, Green Week organised a Scavenger Hunt.

 

Young people gathered at Europe House to answer questions about environmental protection and the European Union. This activity was educational and immensely enjoyable, providing young individuals with an opportunity to learn something new and have fun.

 

To mark World Environment Day, in cooperation with the Agency for the Management of Protected Areas of Podgorica, Europe House installed eighteen permanent panels, which will serve as a permanent exhibition space on Gorica Hill. Representatives from Europe House and the Capital officially opened the first exhibition titled “Protect What You Love – Biodiversity of the Protected Areas of Podgorica.” EU Green Week was a true spectacle that combined entertainment, education, and environmental awareness. Organised with the aim of inspiring people of all generations, this week, we hope, has sparked a love for nature and reminded us of the importance of preserving our planet.

Montenegro: Joint Statement by High Representative/ Vice-President Josep Borrell and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on the elections

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On 11 June, Montenegro held parliamentary elections, which were free and calm, as observed by local and international observers accredited by the State Electoral Commission. The EU looks forward to the constitution of a new parliament and the formation of a new government, which will be able and committed to take forward EU-related reforms, in the shortest possible timeframe.  
We encourage Montenegro’s political stakeholders to focus swiftly on building consensus on the priority actions required to advance Montenegro on its EU path, most notably in the area of Rule of Law. The EU greatly values Montenegro’s commitment to the path towards EU membership, and is ready to intensify its support to progress, which is the wish of an overwhelming majority of Montenegro’s citizens.  
The joint election observation mission from OSCE/ODIHR, the European Parliament, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe characterised the elections as competitive and well-run, despite having taken place in the context of a protracted institutional and constitutional crisis. The international election observation mission’s preliminary conclusions also note that the elections were efficiently managed by the election administration, and that the campaign was free and voters were offered a wide choice  – while noting the polarised media environment.  
The OSCE/ODIHR mission has again highlighted that the legal framework should be comprehensively revised to address a number of gaps and inconsistencies. Furthermore, the mission’s preliminary conclusions note that the inclusion of women in Montenegro’s political process still remains low and is undermined by insufficient state and public efforts to overcome gender stereotypes and most political parties’ failure to promote the participation of women.

YEA participate in public debates on media right to justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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On 1 and 5 June, Young European Ambassadors (YEA) from Bosnia and Herzegovina have participated on two public debates – “Media and Civil Society: Critical Voices Under Pressure” that was organized in Banja Luka, and public Debate on Right to Justice ‘Pravo na pravdu!’ that was organized in Sarajevo.

 

Young European Ambassadors (YEA) had the opportunity to discuss on these two very important topics with many officials inclduing EU Ambassador, Mr. Johann Sattler, Minister of Justice, Mr. Davor Bunoza, Ambassador of Sweden, Mrs. Johanna Strömquist and many other officials from government institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Non-Governmental sector. The debates were the opportunity to reflect on the central importance of rule of law and fundamental freedoms for citizens in a continued challenging political context, but also media.

Local Empowerment for Albania’s European Integration

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An EU-funded initiative is empowering Albanian municipalities to play a more influential role in the process of European integration.

In 2014, Albania embarked on a significant initiative to reform its local government system, striving for a genuine and essential decentralization, building upon previous but insufficient efforts. This initiative sought to empower local self-government with substantial financial and economic authority, rights, and responsibilities. It aimed to enhance administrative, investment, regulatory, and service capabilities in essential functions while also encompassing the transfer of additional responsibilities. Simultaneously, the territorial administrative reform aimed to streamline the country’s administrative boundaries by reorganizing fragmented local government units. This restructuring aimed to address the issues of unsatisfactory public services provided to local communities and the absence of economies of scale, which resulted in excessive administrative costs. The goal was to create a more cohesive and efficient territorial system that could better serve the needs of the population.

“However, this perception is inaccurate, as a significant portion of legislation is actually implemented at the local level. Finally, it was recognized that EU integration is a comprehensive practice, and municipalities play a crucial role in this process.”

Another crucial aspect addressed within the local government reform in Albania pertained to the role of municipalities in the process of European Union (EU) integration. Jolanda Trebicka,  Executive Director of the Civil Society Organisation Europartners Development Albania (EPD) at that time was among the experts actively involved in the reform process. She highlights that there was a prevailing opinion among authorities that EU integration primarily focused on the approximation of legislation at the central level, neglecting the significance of local governance. “However, this perception is inaccurate, as a significant portion of legislation is actually implemented at the local level. Albania has started the process of harmonization of national legislation with the EU legislation. Like in the EU countries, assessment in Albania confirmed that 70% of the harmonized/approximated legislation with EU legislation is implemented at the local level. Finally, it was recognized that EU integration is a comprehensive practice, and municipalities play a crucial role in this process,” states Trebicka. Consequently, the initial decentralization strategy aimed to establish EU corners in 30 municipalities of Albania by the year 2020.

In 2017, the EU in Albania initiated the project “Municipalities for Europe” . This project aimed to elevate the role of municipalities in the EU integration process to a higher level. Commencing almost from scratch, the project provided comprehensive support in various areas, including assisting all 61 municipalities in establishing EU units and enabling them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently. The project organized several training sessions to enhance the municipalities’ capacity to access EU funds and supported the EU units in organizing local community events to disseminate information relating to the EU.

“There are areas that require further enhancements. However, I can confidently assert that we have laid the groundwork for municipalities to assume a much more significant role in the EU integration process in the future.”

About the project

The overall objective of the Municipalities for Europe project was to trengthen the municipal governance capacities and reach out to Albanian citizens and Albanian local administrations with information about the EU, its policies, programs and funds. All project activities were organised around the following components: EU Integration and Donor Coordination, institutional building and training, networking and online communication, visibility and events, and crosscutting issues. The Technical Assistance project provided support for the establishment and effective functioning of EU affairs Units in each municipality. The EU Units are of key importance for the management of internal (within municipalities) coordination processes on EU-related matters and serve as the main structure to coordinate and implement community outreach activities. The overall project financial value (both phases) is €3.6 million.

Furthermore, the project has provided its support to the EU Delegation in implementing information and communication activities in municipal level. This includes assisting in campaigns against illegal migration, promoting the ERASMUS+ programme to young individuals in municipalities, and raising awareness about EU rural support programmes at the local level. An important campaign was ‘Europe is Here” that consisted on informing the local population on the EU contribution to social and economic development of local communities.

In general, the project has made a significant and substantial contribution to enhancing the municipalities’ governance capacities concerning EU-related matters, yielding positive outcomes. The project is considered as a best practice in Western Balkan countries during the event organized by the Committee of Region in the framework of the Enlargement Day, in 6 July 2022.  Nevertheless, Mrs. Trebicka acknowledges that there is still room for improvement. “There are areas that require further enhancements. More needs to be done to inform and raise the capacities of entire local administration and support the city councils to play a more proactive role in the important processes of EU integration on the ground. However, I can confidently assert that we have laid the groundwork for municipalities to assume a much more significant role in the EU integration process in the future,” Trebicka affirms.

WeBalkans at the European Youth Event 2023 in Strasbourg

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The European Youth Event (EYE) convenes annually at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, as well as online, gathering thousands of young individuals from across the European Union and the globe. Its purpose is to exchange and shape ideas concerning the future of Europe. Once again, this exhilarating and significant event sparked fresh ideas and fostered new connections in Strasbourg, the city housing European institutions. This included the participation of Young European Ambassadors and EU vloggers involved in the “Made of Us” campaign.

 

The exceptional journey commenced on 8 June at the Council of Europe for the Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, Southern neighborhood, and the EU vloggers engaged in the WeBalkans “Made of Us” campaign. The interactive one-day event featured workshops dedicated to combating discrimination, championing freedom of expression, and advancing gender equality. Participants had the opportunity to visit the Council and engage in a high-level panel discussion featuring the EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe, Vesna Batistic Kos, the Director of Political Affairs and External Relations at the Council of Europe, Miroslav Papa, as well as the Directors of Human Rights and Democracy, Christophe Poirel and Matjaž Gruden, respectively. This platform aimed to bridge the gap between the Council of Europe’s work and the younger generation, emphasizing the ongoing imperative to promote the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

 

The following two days were defined by the European Youth Event, the significant annual gathering for young people held at the European Parliament. Within this event, Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans and EU vloggers conducted a series of important panel discussions. Notably, one panel showcased the impressive “Made of us” EU-Western Balkans road trip, a part of the WeBalkans EU regional communication programme for the Western Balkans.

 

The “Made of us” campaign featured twelve young vloggers from both the EU and the Western Balkans, who embarked on a journey across the region. They shared their experiences, promoted EU projects, and highlighted the unique cultural heritage present in the Western Balkans. Additionally, the Young European Ambassadors collaborated with representatives from the Eastern and Southern partnerships to organize an engaging Thinkaton for youth. This Thinkaton addressed topics relevant to youth worldwide, such as social affairs, the digital realm, environmental protection, and climate change. They designed various quizzes to familiarize participants with the three regions and held a panel discussion titled ‘The role and impact of youth activism – Perspectives from the East, South, and Western Balkans’, which attracted a large audience. MEP Thomas Waitz participated in one of the most attended panels, discussing the EU accession of the Western Balkans and the East. Finally, the Young European Ambassadors and vloggers had the opportunity to meet in person with MEP Rookmaker to discuss real-life activism and the importance of active citizenship among young people.

 

All the activities and highlights from the youth adventure in Strasbourg were featured on the webalkans.eu channels. This provided young individuals from across the Western Balkans and Europe the opportunity to virtually participate in this exceptional event.

Young European Ambassadors participate in UN Youth Assembly in Kosovo

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The 5th Youth Assembly of the United Nations took place on the 7th and 8th of June in Prizren, Kosovo, under the theme “Activate Youth Power: Perspectives of Youth Participation in Kosovo and Western Balkans.” The United Nations Youth Assembly in Kosovo serves as the largest annual multi-ethnic platform, bringing together young leaders from diverse communities, UN officials, and decision-makers at all levels. Its purpose is to address youth-specific issues, foster inter-ethnic and inter-cultural cooperation among youth, facilitate synergies, and assess the progress made in implementing the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda. This year’s event convened 150 young leaders and decision-makers from the Western Balkans, including the participation of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs).

 

Amina Kaja had the privilege of being a speaker at the workshop titled ‘Youth in International Organizations,’ where she discussed the YEA network. She also attended the assembly as a delegate. Additionally, delegates Aleksandra Grbović Bitić, Arjana Rudari, Olta Shehu, Ardit Gërvalla, Kleidi Memo, Besfort Spahijaj, Filip Milenkoski, and Arijel Kurtagić represented the Young European Ambassadors. Viola Maksuti and Suhel Ahmeti were part of the organizational team.

 

Throughout the numerous workshops, the YEAs had the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in discussions with representatives from various organizations. By the end of the event, they developed their own project proposal, ready to be considered for funding.