Western Balkans and Latin America to exchange good practices in disability inclusion
How can experiences from different parts of the world contribute to more inclusive communities? This question will be at the heart of an international online workshop organised on 26 November 2026 within the EMPOWERED project, bringing together organisations working on disability inclusion in the Western Balkans and Latin America. The workshop, “Regional exchange of experiences and good practices between the Western Balkans and Latin America in the field of inclusion of people with disabilities,” will provide a platform for sharing practical experiences, discussing common challenges and exploring approaches that have contributed to improving the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. Although the two regions operate in different social and institutional contexts, they share important priorities: improving access to inclusive education, creating employment opportunities, strengthening cooperation with institutions and employers, and ensuring meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in society. Learning from experiences in Latin America The first part of the workshop will introduce experiences and good practices from Latin America, with contributions from Mónica Cortes, Executive Director of ASDOWN from Colombia, and David López, President of FECONORI from Nicaragua. Their presentations will focus on the role of inclusive education in economic empowerment, particularly how education can create pathways towards employment, greater independence and active participation in society. The discussion will also explore the importance of stakeholder engagement and cooperation in developing inclusive policies and practices. Sharing good practices from the Western Balkans Representatives from Montenegro, Serbia and Albania will present experiences from the Western Balkans, highlighting initiatives that support the social, economic and educational inclusion of persons with disabilities. The session will feature Blagoje Šuranović from Association Mozaik in Montenegro, Slađana Lević from the Disability Youth Forum in Serbia, and representatives of the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF). Particular attention will be given to local initiatives, employment opportunities, partnerships with employers, cooperation between civil society and public institutions, and approaches to ensuring the sustainability of inclusion efforts. Turning shared experiences into practical solutions Beyond presenting examples from the two regions, the workshop will encourage an open exchange on how successful practices can be adapted and applied in different local contexts. An interactive discussion, “What can we learn from each other?”, will invite participants to reflect on the effectiveness of different approaches, the role of cross-sector partnerships and the potential for further cooperation. For the EMPOWERED project, this international exchange represents an opportunity to connect experiences from the Western Balkans with knowledge and practices developed elsewhere, while also sharing the achievements and lessons learned by organisations working on disability inclusion in the region. By encouraging dialogue beyond regional boundaries, EMPOWERED aims to contribute to stronger partnerships, new perspectives and practical solutions that support equal opportunities and greater participation of persons with disabilities. The workshop will take place on 26 November 2026, starting at 15:00 CET (08:00 Nicaragua time), and will be conducted online in English. The event is organised within the EMPOWERED project – Inclusion of persons with disabilities, regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans, implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V. (ASB) and its partners in six Western Balkan countries, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).