The Association of Paraplegics and Individuals Affected by Polio in Zenica held a meeting with Sumea Mujkanović, Assistant to the Mayor of Zenica, to finalize details for including the item “Financing organizations of persons with disabilities and representative organizations” in the City of Zenica’s budget for 2025. This step will fully meet the Association's demand to ensure that people with disabilities are no longer in the shadows.

“After everything, we are now waiting for the Budget Proposal, which will ultimately position the movement for persons with disabilities at a higher level of advocacy for their rights. Our initiative represents a significant step toward ensuring the necessary support for organizations working on the rights of persons with disabilities and civil war victims, who often face numerous challenges in securing their rights and needs. Specifically, organizations for persons with disabilities in the Zenica area, as well as in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, are constantly growing, which is why we advocate for making Zenica and the ZDK a more accessible and livable place for persons with disabilities”, said Harun Aliefendić.

As a reminder, after receiving verbal support from the mayor, the City of Zenica officially accepted and supported the Initiative to include funding for programs of representative organizations of persons with disabilities and civil war victims in the City of Zenica’s budget. The city also stated that, in accordance with regulations, it could implement the initiative. Furthermore, the letter mentioned that the Department for Social Protection, Housing, and Social Activities, during the public call for co-financing civil society organizations' projects in the city of Zenica, plans to issue a public call specifically for co-financing the work of organizations of persons with disabilities. This public call will be aimed exclusively at representative organizations of persons with disabilities and civil war victims.

The implementation of this initiative will undoubtedly contribute to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and civil war victims and will have a positive impact on building a more inclusive society. Such steps are essential for strengthening the community and raising awareness about the rights of vulnerable groups.

“For every person with a disability, organizations for persons with disabilities represent a second home because these are places where we gather, share experiences, and provide mutual support and assistance. Therefore, resolving the issue of our funding gives us a sense of security, as we know we will survive and continue helping and supporting one another”, said representatives from the Union of the Blind Citizens of the Zenica-Doboj Canton.

By including this item in the budget, the City of Zenica would become the first city in the Federation of BiH to establish the sustainability of these organizations, thus improving the implementation of their programs.