Human impact and success stories 

In its 3rd phase of implementation the Horizontal Facility actions are contributing to tangible results for the people of Western Balkans and Türkiye. This session is dedicated to specific human impact narratives and success stories coming from different actions and having a direct impact and positively influencing change and improvement in the life of individuals, communities or society at large.  Our human impact and success stories bring our programme closer to the people by showcasing real voices, real struggles, and real triumphs. These stories aim to drive awareness, mobilise support, and influence good policies. 

Let’s turn our impact stories into inspiration!  

Назад Turning pages of empathy: stories of living books open hearts of young people to diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

1 October 2025
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Turning pages of empathy: stories of living books open hearts of young people to diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The “Living Library” is no ordinary bookshelf. Instead of printed pages, students meet real people- “Books” who share their life experiences, challenge stereotypes, and invite dialogue.

In classrooms across Bosnia and Herzegovina, five activists representing different minority groups became these living books, meeting 437 students from 16 communities, answering their questions and opening conversations that might not happen otherwise.

For Vladimir Andrle, the motivation to take part in the Living Library comes from a deep wish to see change. “The motive for being at these living libraries comes precisely from that, because I have a desire for this society to change, for the paradigm of the society to change, for divisions to be reduced,” he said.

He recalls one boy asking when he “came out as a Jew.” For Vladimir, the moment was revealing: “They basically haven't had the opportunity to meet a Jew and don't perceive Jews as a people that exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don't mean that in a bad way, but they simply haven't had the opportunity to meet them.”

The experience of Amra Ahmetović, who spoke to students as a Roma woman, also highlighted the way stereotypes shape perceptions. “That conversation always ended in a way like, ‘well, you don't look like a Roma woman, I would never say that you are a Roma woman, you don't talk like a Roma woman,’” she explained. For her, breaking down those assumptions, face to face, was exactly the point of being a living book.

From another shelf in this human library, Alma Mujanović shared her story as a person advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. “This project is extremely important because it raises awareness about diversity, about the importance of sign language, about the importance of the way of communication, towards people with hearing impairment or in general towards people with disabilities,” she said, underscoring that communication itself can be a bridge to inclusion.

For Đulisa Otuzbir, a Young European Ambassador, the Living Library was about shaping perspectives at the right moment in life. “I think it is important to raise awareness among young people at this age because it is when they form their personalities and step into the world. It is very important to me that if we have changed the opinion of even one single young person today, then this workshop or activity has been successful.”

Together, these living books turned pages of empathy with every conversation. By sharing their voices openly and directly, they helped students see beyond stereotypes and recognise the diversity that is already part of their communities.

The initiative is part of the broader European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, through the action “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina” and the Council of Europe project “Combatting discrimination, hatred and racism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

Назад Mladi pokreću promene: 75+ koraka ka jednakim mogućnostima

Sjenica, Srbija 17. novembar 2024.
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Mladi pokreću promene: 75+ koraka ka jednakim mogućnostima

Više od 75 mladih iz manjinskih zajednica okupilo se u Sjenici na trodnevnom omladinskom forumu „75+ koraka ka jednakim mogućnostima“, pretvarajući ovaj grad u epicentar inkluzije i solidarnosti. Cilj foruma bio je osnaživanje mladih za borbu protiv diskriminacije i promovisanje različitosti kao vrednosti.

Održan povodom Međunarodnog dana tolerancije i 75-godišnjice Saveta Evrope, forum je učesnicima/ama pružio priliku da kroz radionice i dijaloge istraže ključne teme poput kulturne distance, stereotipa i važnosti međusobnog razumevanja.

„Razbila sam predrasude i stekla nova prijateljstva,“ rekla je Emina Elfić iz Novog Pazara. „Odlazim sa znanjem i motivacijom da pokrenem promene u svojoj zajednici.“

Mnogim učesnicima/ama je forum bio prva i jedinstvena prilika da se njihov glas čuje. Prema rečima Nedeljke Borojević, mentorke na događaju, mladi bi želeli više da se uključe u procese donošenja odluka u svojoj lokalnoj zajendici, ali ne znaju kako jer nisu dovoljno informisani niti osnaženi. "Voleli bi kada bi donosioci odluka češće organizovali događaje na kojima bi mladi imali priliku da iskažu svoje mišljenje, komunicirali sa njima na način da ih mladu razumeju i kada bi ih uvažavali i posmatrali kao resurs, a ne kroz prizmu predrasuda i stereotipa", istakla je ona.

Adrijana Nikitović, mlada evropska ambasadorka, naglasila je važnost dijaloga koji je forum omogućio: „Spojio je mlade iz različitih zajednica, ali i sa predstavnicima institucija i civilnog sektora. Naučili smo da nas različitost povezuje i jača.“

Mladi su napustili forum sa strategijama i alatima za promovisanje inkluzije u svojim zajednicama, od zalaganja za međukulturni dijalog do unapređenja jednakih mogućnosti.

Događaj su otvorili Janoš Babić, šef Kancelarije Saveta Evrope u Beogradu, Tomislav Žigmanov, ministar za ljudska i manjinska prava i društveni dijalog, Munib Mujagić, predsednik opštine Sjenica, i Kemal Zekić, šef kabineta predsednika opštine. Forum je organizovan u saradnji Ministarstva za ljudska i manjinska prava i akcije „Suzbijanje diskriminacije i promocija različitosti u Srbiji,“ u okviru zajedničkog programa Evropske unije i Saveta Evrope „Horizontal Facility za Zapadni Balkan i Tursku.“