On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Network of Disability Associations of the City of Cazin held a final event and a forum with citizens today at the Cazin Cultural Center, thereby concluding the campaign “Be Our Strength,” launched in April 2025.

On this occasion, the Network of Disability Associations of the City of Cazin proudly informed the public that their campaign has achieved a historic result – systemic financing of disability associations from the budget of the City of Cazin.

Namely, the campaign “Be Our Strength” successfully achieved its goal: The City of Cazin will be the first local administration in USK to introduce guaranteed budget financing for disability associations, in accordance with the Law on Representative Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of FBiH.
This ensures stability, continuity, and improvement of the services that associations provide to persons with disabilities in Cazin.

This result was achieved through:

- joint action and networking of disability associations
- meetings and dialogue with city authorities
- public promotions, media appearances, and workshops with citizens
- collection of over 600 citizens’ signatures of support and submission of a written initiative to the Mayor

From the Mayor’s Office, through an official representative, the agreed conclusions from the meeting held with the Mayor of Cazin, Mr. Magistr Nermin Ogrešević, were formally confirmed today:

- the initiative of the Network of Disability Associations will be implemented directly from the position of the Mayor,
- representative disability associations will receive guaranteed budget codes with increased allocations starting from 2026,
- from 2026, a special budget code for projects of disability associations will also be introduced,
- to maintain continuous social dialogue, a designated contact person from the Mayor’s Office will be appointed, responsible for communication with the associations.

The importance of this campaign is evident in its fulfilled objectives:

- it increased the visibility of persons with disabilities,
- strengthened cooperation between associations and the city,
- dispelled stereotypes about the work of disability associations,
- encouraged the community to recognize the benefits that associations bring,

MIU Network – CAZIN ensured stable conditions for the continuation of essential social services.
The Network of Disability Associations of the City of Cazin thanks all citizens, media, volunteers, and institutions for their support and understanding. The message of the campaign remains the same:
“Be our strength – because inclusion starts with us!”