New elevator in Bosanska Krupa — A concrete step toward inclusive municipal spaces
In Bosanska Krupa a contract has been signed for the installation of an elevator for persons with disabilities, as part of the EMPOWERED project activities implemented across all 15 participating municipalities. The agreement was concluded between the LIR CD organization and Elmedina Kavazović, Secretary of the Administrative Body of municipality Bosanska Krupa. The elevator will be fitted into an existing shaft in the municipal building and is scheduled for completion by mid‑April. Once installed, it will substantially improve accessibility of public spaces, facilitate access to municipal services, and ease daily life for residents who use wheelchairs or have reduced mobility. This intervention is one of several local inclusive projects being implemented within the EMPOWERED regional initiative. By delivering tangible infrastructure improvements alongside psychosocial support, career counselling and capacity‑building activities, the project pursues a holistic approach to inclusion. Key goals include strengthening local institutional capacities, enhancing access to services and public buildings, promoting equal participation in public and economic life, and creating sustainable local solutions that can be replicated across the Western Balkans. Practical accessibility measures such as this elevator are important because they remove everyday barriers, increase independence, and signal a broader commitment to dignity and rights. Infrastructure upgrades work together with training, policy work and community engagement to change attitudes, open opportunities for education and employment, and build more inclusive municipalities for all residents. We thank our partners and local stakeholders for their cooperation. This concrete step toward better accessibility reflects the project’s aim to combine direct local improvements with regional exchange of good practice to ensure lasting impact across all 15 municipalities.
Tender ref.no.: BOS2404_CDI/SER T 03
PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR EXPERT CONSULTANCY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS, CAPACITY-BUILDING OF LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, AND EDUCATIVE SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (PwDs) We inform you about cancellation of the tender procedure for provision of comprehensive services for expert consultancy and development of local strategic documents, capacity-building of local stakeholders, and educative support to the people with disabilities (PwDs)/ (three lots), within the project “EMPOWERED – INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS), REGIONAL COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WESTERN BALKANS”, Ref.No. BOS2404_CDI/SER T 03, due to technical irregularities in the tender evaluation.
Empowered study visit Croatia – Slovenia 2026
Empowered two-day study visit (24–27 March 2026) — Inclusion of persons with disabilities, regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans Under the EMPOWERED project led by ASB SEE with LIR CD as local organizer, representatives of civil society, state institutions, the private sector and regional experts from six Western Balkans countries will take part in a study visit to Croatia and Slovenia (24–27 March 2026). The visit will highlight community-based services, deinstitutionalization, inclusive employment and legislative frameworks that support the social and labour-market inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Please download: AGENDA and LOGISTICS GUIDE Program highlights ✅Day 1 (24/03) — Arrival in Zagreb, orientation briefing and networking dinner. ✅Day 2 (25/03) — Sveti Ivan Zelina: welcome at City Hall, presentations on community-based daily services, occupational and socio‑educational activities, supported living models, cooperation with local employers and social investment funds; site visit to a Day Centre and Supported Housing programme; working lunch and reflection session on transferability and pilot actions for WB6 countries. ✅Day 3 (26/03) — Ljubljana: visit to an inclusive company / protected workshop (Želva) and the University Rehabilitation Institute Soča; high-level sessions on disability legislation, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, quota systems, employer incentives and funding mechanisms; Q&A and practical demonstrations. ✅Day 4 (27/03) — Return to WB6 countries and internal evaluation. Objectives and expected outcomes ✅Exchange and document good practices and concrete models for better inclusion of PwDs through education, employment and community support. ✅Strengthen regional cooperation and identify pilot partnership opportunities across WB6. ✅Collect case studies and practical recommendations to feed the EMPOWERED Guide for effective Public‑Private‑Civil partnerships and future advocacy materials. Organizers and partners EMPOWERED project — led by ASB SEE, organized in cooperation with LIR Civil Society (LIR CD) and regional partners. For participants Participants will include representatives from private sector companies, NGOs, local governments, rehabilitation and employment services, and other stakeholders involved in PwD inclusion. The visit will combine site visits, expert presentations, Q&A sessions and reflection workshops to facilitate learning and replication.
EMPOWERED — Trilateral Conference in Skopje: Strengthening inclusion and employment for persons with disabilities
The trilateral EMPOWERED conference in Skopje, dedicated to empowering and including persons with disabilities, was successfully held with a focus on employment, alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and strengthening regional cooperation. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, embassies, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, employers, and experts from the region to exchange experiences, good practices, and concrete proposals for further progress. Opening remarks were delivered by: Main themes and panels The conference was structured around three key panels addressing comprehensive aspects of inclusion: Panelists: * Mrs. Monika Trajanova, Member of the Inter-party Parliamentary Group on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Member of Parliament, Republic North Macedonia* Mr. Dejan Gorgievski, Association for Disability and Justice, Republic North Macedonia * Ms. Suada Hawa, National Agency for Employment and Skills, Albania * Mr.Petrit Bllaca – PREDA Plus, KosovoMs. Bardhylka Kospiri, Senior Advocate for Disability Rights, Albania * Mr. Enron Seiti, Help the Life Association, Albania * Mr. Fatmir Sabriu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth RN Macedonia * Mr. Aleksandar Rončević – EMPOWERED project consultant, presentation of survey results* Mrs. Biljana Talevska, Director – Association of Protective Companies of Macedonia* Mr. Zarko Selkvoski, President – National Union of the Blind of the RN Macedonia* Mrs. Vlora Limani Hajnuni, Advisor, Ministry of Justice, R. Kosovo* Mr. Xhenis Beqiri – Down Syndrome Kosovo* Ms. Migena Spaho, Director of Social Services, Municipality of Tirana, Albania* Ms. Doljana Velia, Activist for Disability Rights, Albania Key outcomes and recommendations – The conference produced concrete recommendations to enhance inclusion and employment of persons with disabilities, including: Organizers and support – The event was organized by ASB South East Europe, CDI Macedonia — ИРЗ Македонија, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation and PREDA Plus Foundation. The EMPOWERED project is implemented by ASB and regional partners with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The trilateral EMPOWERED conference in Skopje reaffirmed the importance of joint action to build barrier-free communities and create sustainable employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. In the coming period, it will be essential to implement the recommendations, strengthen partnership mechanisms and continue the dialogue so that inclusion becomes a tangible reality at local and regional levels. Together we build barrier-free communities.
Tender Ref. No.: BOS2404-ALFA-SER-T03
We inform you that on 03 February 2026 the organization ALFA Centar is announcing a call for tenders for the provision of services: Formulation of local inclusion plans and training for local stakeholders and preparation of local inclusion projects, reference number BOS2404-ALFA-SER-T03, within the project “EMPOWERED – Inclusion of persons with disabilities, regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans”, financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ). All interested bidders are invited to submit their request to obtain the tender documentation on company letterhead to the e‑mail address: alfacentar@t-com.me The deadline for submission of bids in accordance with the tender documentation is 04 March 2026, by 12:00.
Three-day project-writing Empowered training in Travnik
The three-day Empowered project-writing training was successfully held in Travnik, co-organized by LIR CD and the Municipality of Travnik. The training was led by Prof. Dr. Adis Arapović and brought together activists and representatives of associations from the region. The importance of empowering local associations Empowering associations at the local level means strengthening their ability to identify community needs independently, design sustainable solutions, and secure funding for their implementation. When local organizations gain project-writing skills, they: Regional reach of the programme Empowered trainings are conducted in all 15 municipalities of the Western Balkans included in the project, building a wider network of over 60 organisations. This approach enables the exchange of good practices, interregional cooperation, and joint pilot projects that go beyond local borders — all aimed at greater inclusion of persons with disabilities and sustainable service development across the region. The results of the Travnik training — three project concepts developed in under 10 hours — confirm that targeted trainings quickly raise capacities. We continue with the same intensity in other municipalities to ensure that local organisations have the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed for lasting change.
EMPOWERED SKOPJE: Trilateral conference on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Western Balkans
CDI Macedonia, in partnership with Preda Plus and ADRF and with support from partner organisations within the regional EMPOWERED initiative, is organising a trilateral conference dedicated to advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities and strengthening regional cooperation for sustainable development in the Western Balkans. The event will take place on February 4, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Skopje and continues the series of knowledge‑sharing activities initiated at the regional conference in May 2025 and the trilateral meeting in Sarajevo at the end of 2025. The conference aims to bring together decision‑makers, ministry representatives, organisations of persons with disabilities, experts and private‑sector stakeholders to discuss two thematic sessions — regional cooperation, innovation and advocacy for systemic change, and employment policies and support for the employment of persons with disabilities — and to identify concrete steps for policy harmonisation, exchange of good practices and development of innovative solutions for an inclusive labour market. Special focus will be placed on empowering the participation of persons with disabilities in policymaking, strengthening regional advocacy networks and improving support mechanisms for long‑term inclusion. Organised by CDI Macedonia in cooperation with Preda Plus Foundation and ADRF – Albanian Disability Rights Foundation.
Tender Reference No.: BOS2404-LIRCD-WOR-T01
On 16th of January 2026, organization LIR Civil Society hereby announces the launch of a tender for theprovision of services for Installation of an elevator in the city administration building Bosanska Krupa,reference number BOS2404-LIRCD-WOR-T01 within the project “EMPOWERED – Inclusion of persons withdisabilities (PWDs), regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans”, funded by the FederalMinistry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ). All interested bidders are invited to submit their request for tender documentation on company’s letterhead,to the e-mail addresses: zoran.basic@lircd.org; maja.katic@lircd.org and ivana.bojinovic@lircd.orgThe deadline for submitting offers in accordance with the tender documentation is 16. 02. 2026, by 12:00.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞
Disability awareness is not a campaign. It is not a gesture. It is a responsibility. True inclusion requires action at every level — in policies, institutions, workplaces, and communities. This is how we turn rights into reality: Inclusive education Accessibility is not optional. Schools must be equipped, adapted, and resourced so every student can learn on equal terms. Lived experience matters — voices of persons with disabilities belong in classrooms, not on the margins. Accessible workplaces Employment is a right. Inclusive hiring, reasonable accommodation, and accessible work environments are the minimum standard — not a favor. Diversity strengthens teams when systems are designed to include everyone. Community & policy action Change happens where decisions are made. We engage with local authorities and institutions to demand accessible public spaces, inclusive planning, and accountability — because participation without access is exclusion. Equitable healthcare Healthcare systems must work for everyone. Accessibility, clear communication, and continuous feedback from persons with disabilities are essential to dignity, safety, and quality care. Responsible media representation Nothing about us without us. Authentic, respectful representation challenges stereotypes and shifts narratives — from pity to power, from invisibility to visibility. Inclusion does not happen by chance. It happens when systems change, voices are heard, and commitments turn into action. Stand for rights. Amplify lived experience. Demand inclusion.
Empowered Newsletter No. 2 is here!
We are delighted to present the second edition of the Empowered newsletter, summarizing the first, exceptionally successful year of our project! The project “Empowered – Inclusion of persons with disabilities, regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans” celebrates its first anniversary, following a period of intensive work and significant achievements. This initiative is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and led by ASB in partnership with the organizations LIR Civil Society, IDC, PREDA Plus, Alfa Centar, CDI, and ADRF. Our clear goal is to create a society of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs). During the first year, our efforts have spanned across 15 municipalities in the Western Balkans, establishing strong partnerships with local self-governments and civil society. We have launched the first inclusive projects, psychosocial support, and career counseling, and strengthened mechanisms for inclusiveness. All these steps contribute to creating a strong Empowered community dedicated to improving the position of PwDs across the region. By the end of the project, significant and lasting impact is expected: This newsletter provides a detailed overview of each partner organization’s progress, highlighting their crucial role in local inclusion and regional advocacy. From Albania to Montenegro, our partners are actively working to strengthen communities and translate plans into concrete actions. They are the core of the Empowered initiative, and their efforts are invaluable for achieving our shared goals. Read the full edition to learn more about the impressive activities and achievements of our partners in the first year of the project. Direct links to partner reports: