High-level delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) visits i-platform representatives in Kladanj

i-platform representatives, with Dalida Karabdić at the head of the team, hosted a high-level delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, as well as the representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and used this special occasion to promote and present our work. 

At the head of the SDC delegation was Patricia Barandun, a deputy head of the Western Balkans Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The delegation was joined by the representatives of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The meeting once again affirmed and consolidated the support that i-platform has as a bridging organization that connects non-governmental sector and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 Mrs. Barandun announced that the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation will continue working on supporting and encouraging economic and state independence, improving the conditions of production, helping solve environmental problems, and ensuring a better, more suitable and practical approach to education and healthcare system, as they have already been doing successfully for years.  

Study visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the “We Make Democracy!” project

As part of the “We Make Democracy!” project, thirty participants from the Western Balkans countries and Switzerland visited Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the site visit that took place between March 16 and March 20, young people gathered together and learned more about the reality and everyday life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, young people’s experiences, youth activism, and the struggles that young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina face throughout their lives. 

Our representative Aldin Vrškić, one of the organizers and trainers in this exchange program, expressed his contentment with the results and balance between educational workshops, arrangement and planning of the future project activities, and better understanding of the local communities of both Zenica and Sarajevo.

The participants worked intensively on creating and planning project activities and campaigns that will be implemented in the following months and presented during the final conference in Switzerland.

“We Make Democracy!” project marks the continuation of a successful perennial collaboration between SAJV and the Western Balkans countries. The collaboration is supported by i-platform and the Association “Naša djeca” that is one of the project partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

First regional eco-trail race

In the month of March, i-platform representatives supported and assisted the organization of the first regional eco-trail race that was organized on March 26 and March 27 in Zenica. The picnic area of Smetovi was a place of great fun, sports activities, and an enjoyable get-together. What makes us very proud and happy is the fact that 170 participants from twelve countries joined the race.

In addition to the race a great number of other activities were organized as well. During the wastes disposal and tree planting activities volunteers collected 70 bags of waste and planted around 500 tree seedlings. A photography exhibition was displayed next to the Monument to the fallen partisan detachment. Other planned activities were the sightseeing tour around Smetovi and the bicycle race from the center of Zenica to Smetovi. At last, origami workshop was held for the youngest ones, after which they were rewarded with fitting and felicitous gifts. 

Two-day-long workshop in entrepreneurship

Together with Bizbook.ba, the first platform for digital service for private sector, i-platform representatives organized a two-day-long workshop “My product, my success” in Kladanj. During the workshop that was held by the founder of the platform Bizbook.ba Erna Šočević, participants could adopt new skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship. Besides, the gathered participants could also learn more about the best tools and ways to describe, present, package, and label their products.

We are very delighted by the participants’ decision and plan to create a website in the near future by using their combined strength, knowledge, and resources. The planned website will enable businessmen from Kladanj to present their products to the wider public.

Kick-off event “Collaboratio Balkanica”

Between March 23 and March 29, i-platform representatives organized a kick-off event in the Swiss city of Baden. The name of the project within which the kick-off event was organized is “Collaboratio Balkanica”. The event gathered 25 participants from six countries and the main goal was to start and encourage the collaboration between participants, trainers, and organizations, as well as to support and celebrate intercultural work environment.

The gathered participants could learn more about the Catalyst Lab program during the exchange and start planning and arranging an entirely new program Catalyst Lab Balkanica that will be implemented in the future. This unique program deals with the processes of learning and design. It is adjusted to the individuals (Catalysts) and their teams that will be working on the implementation of the Agenda 2030 that aims at contributing to ecological responsibility, mankind, and common good.

“Collaboratio Balkanica” also marks the continuation of a successful collaboration with other partners that support this project – SEEYN and Collaboratio Helvetica.

Regular Meetup events

Online Meetups that are organized by the i-platform representatives are a virtual tool that is used to connect diaspora members with the local communities they originally come from. In the month of March we organized 17th Kladanj Meetup and 4th Zavidovići Meetup, while we are planning to organize a new edition of Bijeljina Meetup in April.

We are very happy and proud for the fact that all of the organized activities have contributed to the main goals of i-platform in terms of creating synergy and promoting those initiatives that build and support the further development of social, economic, and cultural processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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