Partners in the USAID Snaga lokalnog Program, which supports local organizations in creating and nurturing more sustainable “self-help mechanisms” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in areas where such mechanisms are not easily accessible, the Association Network for Building Peace and the Tuzla Community Foundation held a joint meeting in early March 2021. The meeting was an opportunity for representatives of these two organizations to exchange experiences and discuss plans and mutual support regarding further implementation of the Snaga lokalnog Program, working conditions in circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic, and challenges faced by both organizations and staff working on the project.
The project titled “Our community is our responsibility”, which is an integral part of the Snaga lokalnog Program, is implemented by the Tuzla Community Foundation in partnership with the Network of Active Communities. One of the goals of this project is that the Network of Active Communities by the end of the project includes at least 25 local communities in which the model of community organization will be successfully implemented. The project “Our community is our responsibility” provides opportunities for communities, organizations, formal and informal groups, individuals to empower, independently propose and implement initiatives and solutions at the local level using and mobilizing local resources. Given that the people and their capacities are the main tools for change, the Tuzla Community Foundation will also organize various informal trainings, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of local leaders, activists from local communities and local civil society organizations in the field of project cycle, community organization and entrepreneurship. The Tuzla Community Foundation will also support the growth, development and work of youth and other civil society organizations through reorganization, which includes mentoring and monitoring of selected organizations, with the desire to strengthen activist initiatives in marginalized communities, always keeping in mind the importance of working with vulnerable groups of citizens.
The Network for Building Peace will contribute to these goals through the establishment and management of the web platform www.snagalokalnog.ba, which enables the exchange of information between various local actors, networking and launching initiatives related to the development of local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Network for Building Peace pays special attention to the networking of all partner organizations that implement the Snaga lokalnog Program, with the aim of mutual support, building partnerships, cooperation and launching initiatives. The Network for Building Peace will strive to include all its members, but also other civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, formal and informal groups of citizens, activists, institutions and businesses that want to make changes in their local communities.
The Tuzla Community Foundation and the Network for Building Peace will continue to strengthen mutual support, cooperation and exchange of experiences, which goes beyond joint work on the implementation of the Snaga lokalnog Program. Both partner organizations have already started implementing their activities, and you can find all information about those activities on our website: www.snagalokalnog.ba.
