Within the #Empowered project, three focus groups were organized in Foča by LIR CD, gathering professionals working with persons with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and persons with disabilities themselves. The aim of these discussions was to better understand everyday challenges, needs, and priorities related to inclusion and access to rights and services.
Through open and honest conversations, participants shared their personal experiences — from difficulties in accessing health and social protection services to the lack of adapted infrastructure and limited employment opportunities. Parents highlighted the need for better institutional cooperation, early intervention, and more inclusive educational environments for their children, while professionals emphasized the importance of continuous training and intersectoral collaboration.
➡️ These exchanges created space for mutual understanding and collective reflection on how local policies can be improved to make inclusion not just a concept, but a lived reality in Foča. Participants also expressed their belief that the upcoming Local Inclusion Plan, developed within the Empowered project, will serve as a concrete step toward strengthening local mechanisms of support and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The discussions were deeply emotional and inspiring — many shared their hopes that their voices will be heard, that the process will lead to visible and sustainable change, and that Foča will continue to build a community based on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect.
