During the month of November, the Local Works visited the Kladanj Municipality, where the Local Works team found exceptional hospitality and had the opportunity to talk to several activists who share their love for their local community. During the visit, the Local Works was convinced of the truth of the statement “Never doubt that a small group of citizens dedicated to a certain goal can change the world.”
Establishing partnerships through work on various projects
Mirza Begić is proud to point out the long-term cooperation with the Mozaik Foundation, explaining that in front of the Youth Bank Kladanj Board, they have implemented eight different projects in the past period, which included the participation of a large number of young people and the wider community. Through work on projects that strive to improve the Kladanj Municipality, creating different content for the citizens of Kladanj, the most valuable thing is achieved – connecting people who have the same goal and desire to improve their local community. Begić emphasizes that they are very proud of the successful cooperation with the Tuzla Community Foundation, which has so far supported activities in the Kladanj Municipality in various ways. “The public institution Library Kladanj and the Cultural Art Society Preporod cooperate with the Youth Bank Kladanj Board, and we have achieved successful cooperation with others within the PRO Future,” explains Nevzeta Rustemović from the Public Institution Library Kladanj. Begić and Rustemović point out that finding suitable partners is a challenge, which they gladly accept because it means connecting and meeting new people, learning new skills and making new changes.
Through the project PRO Future Preporod realized various activities, which are stories that promote peace building not only in Kladanj but throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recalling the excellent cooperation they had with the Vlasenica Municipality and hoping to continue cooperation with the new Mayor of Vlasenica, Begić and Rustemović, they explain that it is an aggravating circumstance for them when it comes to applying for projects that require their own participation and media visibility. During the coronavirus pandemic, Preporod redirected its activities to furnishing the premises (procurement of cabinets for storing folk costumes), and support in equipping and rehabilitating the premises of the Public Institution Kladanj Library is also needed. A functional reading room, where rough work needs to be done, would facilitate the work of the library.
The love for Kladanj is always present in the work of an informal group of motivated people
“The organization of activities “Race for Health” was a joint project of the entire Kladanj Municipality, and its organization included representatives of the public, private and civil sectors of the Kladanj Municipality. The “Race for Health” connected us all”, explains Nevzeta Šečić from the Women’s Association “Žena ženi Kladanj”. The initiators of this activity were women from Kladanj, NGOs, Diaspora Kladanj and Sports Association Kladanj. The added value of this activity is that it was attended by many people. It was the first event organized after the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Dalida Karabdić from NGO i – Diaspora, observing everyone present at the meeting, proudly says for Local Works that these are people who are enthusiasts, civic activists who want to build Kladanj as a place of prosperity, a better and brighter future, primarily for young people but for those slightly older residents. Opening new opportunities and primarily working on building damaged trust is the focus of the work of NGOs and the diaspora. As part of the work of the i – Diaspora, 14 Kladanj Diaspora Meetup events and 4 Meetup online events for the United States and Canada have been organized. The Diaspora project Meetup’s started from Kladanj and as an example of good practice it was taken over by the cities of Zenica, Bijeljina, Živinice and the Zavidovići Municipality. “Mapping and networking of our diaspora aims to support and encourage the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through the integration of BiH diaspora in the world, gathering and exchanging information, connecting actors from all countries where our emigrants live, creating synergies, encouraging and promoting initiatives that contribute to the development of social, economic and cultural processes in BiH,” explains Karabdić. Also, Dalida Karabdić is involved and cooperates with other organizations and platforms where she is always proud to point out positive examples from Kladanj. “In the Kladanj Municipality, Dalida Karabdić is recognized as the person who actually motivates everyone the most to network and work together, who brings new ideas, and instead of problems sees opportunities for progress and solutions,” explained the interviewees for the Local Works.
Nedžad Ahmetspahić, a representative of the “Kladanj Ski Club”, a lover of nature and sports, explains that the Kladanj Municipality has a budget of 3 to 4 million BAM a year. Ahmetspahić points out that Kladanj used to be a medium-developed municipality, but that thanks to the wrong assessment of those in power, there was no investment in new economic entities, job creation and economy, culture and many other branches of society. The life of the community is deteriorating. “Associations registered in Kladanj are 50% active and 50% inactive”, explains Ahmetspahić, adding that sports associations from the area of this municipality raise additional funds through the Sports Federation. The limited budget does not prevent the citizens of Kladanj from being active, because Kladanj has a lot to be proud of. Organizations that are active in this local community want to show the authorities that they can do better, that the Kladanj Municipality can improve a lot through joint efforts and work, and thus stop the departure of young people, which is best reflected in the fact that in “Gymnasium Kladanj” the first grade did not have any students this school year. Civic activism in Kladanj is committed to raising the quality of life because they believe that every job and every person living in Kladanj is worth its weight in gold. All interviewees are part of different collectives, formal and informal, they see the way to progress in their networking and joint work.
Mrs. Nađija Seka Selimbašić, representative of the informal association “Women with key” is also a member of the singing ensemble “Kladanjke”, which has been active for 22 years. She pointed out that the ensemble is currently active and tries to have rehearsals whenever possible. “The problem is that “Kladanjke” does not have its own premises, so they can have rehearsals only when someone gives them their premises,” Selimbašić explains. The ensemble “Kladanjke” participated in international events where they visited other ensembles and also hosted ensembles from the region and the world. Unfortunately, the Kladanj Municipality is not interested in helping them financially, nor has it ever offered “Kladanjke” to have its own space for rehearsals. All uniforms for performances are purchased by members from their own resources. Mrs. Selimbašić explains that she has many interests, within “Women with key”, they are always thinking about new ideas for joint work. Currently, they are waiting for the results of several calls for projects to which they have applied. Nađija Seka Selimbašić does not stop there, aware that everything comes from her own home, she also activated people in her vicinity, neighbors from her building. Noticing that wastewater is being collected in front of the building and that the problem needs to be solved, she motivated the tenants to apply together for a project that should provide them with the means to solve this problem.
“Women’s Association “Žena ženi Kladanj” has existed since 2019 and its purpose is to help women who have cancer,” explains Nevzeta Šečić. Through the realization of projects, the association received fruit processing machines from the Nodas organization from Sarajevo. The municipal space in which the association is located was in poor condition and the Association received great financial assistance and support from NGOs and the diaspora, which provided part of the funds with the Kladanj Municipality and many volunteers from Kladanj and donations from businesses to renovate the space. The Tuzla Community Foundation also participated in that project, where the association passed one of the public calls, as well as PC “Karaula”. As the greatest pride, Šečić points out that the members of the Association, regardless of the difficulties they encountered, continue to meet and actively work, participate in many festivals, bazaars and seminars, where they strengthen their capacities and develop new ideas. Women gathered within the “Žena ženi Kladanj” see an opportunity in their constant improvement and learning, both from each other and from all others who want to share their knowledge and skills with them. “I am especially proud of the fact that some of the members of the Association have started their own small businesses, e.g. Mrs. Timka is widely known for her quince cheese”, points out Nevzeta Šečić.
The natural beauties of Kladanj
During the tour of the cultural and tourist sights that the Kladanj Municipality has at its disposal, it is difficult to remain immune to the beauty and potential that surrounds you and entices you to come again. With the experienced guidance of Dragana Čaušević from PC “Karaula” and “Konjuh Lab” and anecdotes, which were fondly remembered by Jasmina Ovčina from the Italian organization CISP, participants visited the Kladanj bath Brana and resort Studenac, Muška voda complex and resort Bebrava, lake Mountain Eye, Girl’s Cave and via ferrate climbing trails. When visiting the sights of Kladanj, explaining the circumstances and stories related to each of these destinations, it is impossible not to notice the motivation of the people of Kladanj to provide their citizens, but also all others with facilities they can enjoy, to provide escape from problems for each generation and enjoying the fresh air. There are also many necropolises of stećak tombstones in Kladanj, as well as a partially excavated Roman trail. Mountaineers can enjoy mountaineering routes, from the easiest to the most demanding. Sightseeing and potential of Kladanj is also the only ski resort in Tuzla Canton. Unfortunately, every snow season is uncertain because the ski resort depends exclusively on natural snow, but that does not prevent funds from being invested in the ski resort every year for improving the content. Currently, there are two functional ski slopes, one more demanding and the other easier, a restaurant, a ski storage space, and the ski resort offers a beautiful view of Kladanj, which many often call the lung spa because of the clean air. The plan is to build an adrenaline park, as well as facilities for the youngest visitors.
One day is not enough to get to know Kladanj, but it is certainly enough to make you want to return to Kladanj every day, which was confirmed by Jasmina Ovčina, who came to the meeting from Tuzla and during her presentation first said that “who visits Kladanj once, he_she always comes back”, and the Local Works fully agrees with that statement.
Prepared by: Maida Zagorac
