Inclusion is not achieved through isolated efforts. It is built through strong partnerships, local ownership and a shared commitment to creating communities where persons with disabilities can participate equally in every aspect of life.
Across the Western Balkans, the EMPOWERED project continues to bring together municipalities, civil society organizations, institutions and local communities to strengthen disability inclusion through practical, locally driven solutions. By encouraging cooperation, supporting local initiatives and promoting dialogue, the project is helping create more accessible, inclusive and sustainable communities.
Over the past period, significant progress has been made across all six project countries. Local Working Groups have been established and actively engaged in identifying priorities and developing Local Inclusion Plans tailored to the needs of their communities. Through these collaborative processes, municipalities and organizations are working together to implement concrete actions that improve the daily lives of persons with disabilities.
The project has also supported numerous local initiatives, strengthened the capacities of local stakeholders through training and mentoring, and encouraged the exchange of knowledge and good practices across the region. Career counselling, psychosocial support activities, public consultations and community-based interventions continue to empower persons with disabilities while promoting their active participation in social and economic life.
These achievements demonstrate the value of regional cooperation and underline the importance of investing in partnerships that place inclusion at the center of local development.
As the project moves forward, EMPOWERED will continue to support municipalities, organizations and communities in developing innovative, sustainable and inclusive solutions that ensure no one is left behind.
Together, we are building stronger partnerships, more inclusive communities and greater opportunities for persons with disabilities throughout the Western Balkans.
The EMPOWERED – Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Regional Cooperation and Development in the Western Balkans project is led by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund SEE and implemented in partnership with IDC Serbia, LIR CD, PREDA Plus Foundation, Alfa Center, Community Development Institute (CDI) and Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF). The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).