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!  

Geri Bosnian students’ glimmers through 'Living books'

6 October 2025
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Bosnian students’ glimmers through 'Living books'

The most powerful lessons don’t always come from textbooks, sometimes they come from stepping into someone else’s life. Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, 437 students from 17 primary and secondary schools discovered a different kind of library- one where books breathe, speak, and share their stories.

Through the “Living Library” activity, students stepped into the lives of people whose experiences challenge stereotypes, prejudices, and the labels that often create divisions among peers. For many, it was an eye-opening experience.

“When I first came, I didn’t even know what it was going to be about; I had all kinds of thoughts. Then, when I walked in and saw all the different people, a hundred ideas came to my mind,” said Lea from Elementary School Harmani II in Bihać. “When the conversation started, I realised that I could relate in some ways, and it felt nice to just listen. I learned about their lives and what they have been going through.”

The chance to hear voices too often silenced or overlooked left an impression on students who admitted they, too, carried biases. “It’s great that we learned something new because we see all kind of contents in Internet and so on, I had some prejudices as well,” reflected Matea from the Fourth Elementary School in Brčko.

For others, the conversations became a mirror held up to society. “Our generations are increasingly looking only at themselves and everyone sees themselves as individuals and not at society as a collective and how we should behave. We should be less judgmental one another and understand differences. And that diversity is completely ok,” said Teodoroa from the Catering School in Banja Luka.

By the end, many students their knowledge grew and a new way of seeing people around them appeared. “I am glad that we got the opportunity to talk in such an open way with people we are seeing for the first time in our lives, who we would probably look wrongly outside of this space and outside of this project. Most likely we’d have some prejudices about them that were created for no reason, so I am very glad that I participated in this,” shared Kristina from Nikola Tesla Secondary School Centre in Vukosavlje.

The “Living Library” showed these young readers that the most lasting lessons aren’t found on pages- they’re found in listening to the stories of real lives.

 

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.”

Bosnian students’ glimmers through 'Living books'

6 October 2025

The most powerful lessons don’t always come from textbooks, sometimes they come from stepping into someone else’s life. Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, 437 students from 17 primary and secondary schools discovered a different kind of library- one where books breathe, speak, and share their...

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

1 October 2025

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...

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A school where children learn to lead

19 September 2025 Turija, Serbia

In the quiet village of Turija in Serbia, “Veljko Dugošević” Primary School hums with more than the sound of lessons. Here, democracy is not just a subject in the textbook- it’s part of daily life. Pupils debate, compromise, take initiative, and share responsibility for their community. Over...

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Police cadets from Bosnia and Herzegovina are redefining the badge

2 September 2025 Sarajevo

In the training yards and classrooms of the Police Academy of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a quiet revolution has been unfolding. Here, future officers are learning that the badge they will soon wear is more than a symbol of authority - it is a pledge to protect the...

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A small school with a big heart: how children in Kraljevo are learning inclusion by living it

1 September 2025 Kraljevo, Serbia

When twelve-year-old Maša opened the door of her family home in Adrani, near Kraljevo, she wasn’t sure what to expect. A girl her age from Slovenia was about to stay with her as part of a school exchange. At first, the two were shy, carefully observing one another. But soon they found common...

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A strong voice from Albania breaking disability barriers

25 August 2025 Albania

Suela Lala, a prominent advocate for persons with disabilities in Albania, has spent over 15 years combating discrimination and promoting equality, focusing on accessibility, inclusion, and the protection of fundamental rights. She holds the position of the Executive Director of the “Së Bashku”...

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Preventing and Combating Child Trafficking in North Macedonia: Stories of Resilience and Collaboration

22 August 2025 North Macedonia

When Jana (name changed for protection) arrived at SOS Children’s Village foster home, she carried only a small bag, and an invisible weight of fear, trauma, and mistrust. At just 15, she had endured months of exploitation by traffickers who had promised her “a better future.” Instead, she found...

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