At a public forum held today, representatives of the Network of Associations of Persons with Disabilities in Cazin (MIU CAZIN) presented the campaign “Be Our Strength” launched with the aim of improving the organized provision of services and quality of life for persons with disabilities in the city of Cazin. MIU CAZIN is composed of three member organizations: the Association of Paraplegics and Children with Paralysis Cazin, the Association of Parents, Children, and Youth with Special Needs “Our Children Are Children Too,” Cazin, and the Association of People with Muscular Dystrophy Cazin.

The main goal is to establish systematic support for the associations starting in 2026, in order to create stable working conditions, enable access to funding from higher levels of government, and ensure compliance with the Law on Organizations and Representative Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and Civilian Victims of War of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hasmir Delić, campaign coordinator and president of the Association of People with Muscular Dystrophy Cazin, emphasized that the lack of systematic institutional financial support is a key issue, stating: “Persons with disabilities in our city continue to face numerous obstacles, not only in their daily lives but also in their struggle for basic rights. The situation is further complicated by the absence of a systemic solution due to the unregulated manner of financing disability organizations”.

Irfad Redžić, president of the Association of Paraplegics and Children with Paralysis, spoke about the daily challenges and problems faced by their members, emphasizing: “Although our Association does receive support from the City, it is not enough. The amount we receive from the City of Cazin’s budget, as well as the approach to planning and allocation of funds, negatively affects the functioning of our Association and meeting our needs, which could ultimately lead to the closure of the Association. That is why we decided to take this step toward networking, believing that we can resolve the long-term and systemic issue of financing”.

The Association “Our Children Are Children Too” called on the relevant authorities to work together to ensure equal living opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities through systematic funding: “For a long time now, there have been no services available for this population because qualified professionals have emigrated from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The survival of our Association is at risk due to the lack of a systemic financial solution, and we see this networking as an opportunity for our survival”, said Refik Samardžić, president of the Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Special Needs “Our Children Are Children Too,” Cazin.

The campaign “Be Our Strength” has received support from representatives of the City Administration of Cazin, and support is also expected from the relevant institutions of the Una-Sana Canton. Such support would be of immeasurable importance for all persons with physical and mental disabilities, as emphasized by MIU CAZIN: “We are not asking for privileges, only equal opportunities”.