Members of the Citizens' Association "Budi mi prijatelj" from Jablanica presented a short film showcasing the activities they have undertaken over the past few months to open an Inclusive Center for children with developmental disabilities in their local community.

After the establishment of the Association in the summer of this year, an initiative was submitted to allocate funds from the Jablanica Municipality budget for the Inclusive Center. This was achieved at the end of 2024 when the Jablanica Municipal Council decided to allocate 20,000 BAM in the 2025 budget for the establishment and operation of the Inclusive Center. The next initiative sent by the "Budi mi prijatelj" Association to the Municipal Council was the allocation of space for the Inclusive Center. According to the latest information, during the Municipal Council session, which is expected to be held by the end of February, a decision is anticipated regarding the allocation of keys to the premises designated for the Inclusive Center. 

The importance of the Inclusive Center lies in the fact that daily and continuous work is crucial for the progress and development of children with disabilities. The goal is for an occupational therapist to work with the children every day, and according to the needs, a psychologist, pedagogue, defectologist, and speech therapist, who are essential for the development of motor, social, and communication skills in children, would work with them in group settings. In addition to group work, children would also receive individual therapy, and the Center would be equipped with both a sensory and a relaxation room.

There is still no registry or data on how many children with developmental disabilities live in Jablanica. The "Budi mi prijatelj" Association reports that the number of children with disabilities is increasing, which highlights the need for the opening of the Inclusive Center. For now, parents take their children to educational and rehabilitation institutions in Mostar, Konjic, or Sarajevo, two to three times a week. An additional problem is that many parents are unemployed and find it difficult to afford transportation, which is essential for the development and progress of their children. The opening of the Inclusive Center in Jablanica would address this issue.