On 16 June 2026, the Li-Woman Association Livno organized a Citizens’ Forum as part of the public campaign “One Parent – Double Responsibility”, with the aim of advocating for the establishment of a Fund for Single-Parent Families through the City of Livno’s budget.

During the forum, participants were introduced to an initiative intended to draw attention to the challenges faced by single-parent families and to emphasize the need for their stronger recognition within local policies and support programs.

Participants were informed that single-parent families, regardless of the circumstances that led to their family status, face similar challenges, including financial insecurity, limited access to certain rights, and a lack of continuous institutional support.

It was also highlighted that the status of single-parent families in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not systematically regulated through a unified legal framework, which often results in their needs remaining insufficiently recognized.

As one of the possible solutions for improving the current situation and ensuring more systematic support for single-parent families, the initiative proposed the introduction of a permanent budget line entitled “Fund for Single-Parent Families” in the City of Livno’s 2027 Budget. The proposed fund would aim to provide continuous and sustainable financial support to parents who independently care for their children, while contributing to greater social security and an improved quality of life for their families.

The forum brought together a large number of citizens, representatives of institutions, civil society organizations, and other interested participants. The excellent turnout demonstrated a significant level of public interest in improving the position of single-parent families and providing systematic support to this vulnerable social group.

The attendees were also addressed by Mariana Brčić, Senior Advisor for User Information Services, Youth and NGOs at the City of Livno, who emphasized the importance of open dialogue between local government, citizens, and civil society organizations.

On that occasion, she noted that the City of Livno recognizes the importance of initiatives emerging from the community and appreciates the contribution of associations that promptly identify the needs and challenges faced by citizens through their work.

"The City of Livno remains open to dialogue. We see today’s forum as an opportunity to hear concrete proposals and requests. The City values the work of associations that are often able to identify challenges in the community more quickly. We would like to thank the Li-Woman Association, which today highlighted and commended the City of Livno’s Decision on Subsidizing the First Residential Property for Young Families and Single Parents in Livno, as this measure within the City Budget represents a systematic, continuous, and direct form of support for these vulnerable groups."

Through discussion and the exchange of views, forum participants expressed their support for the proposed initiative “One Parent – Double Responsibility” and emphasized the importance of joint action by institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens in creating a more effective support system for single-parent families.

One of the key conclusions of the forum was that establishing a Fund for Single-Parent Families in the City of Livno is necessary in order to provide long-term financial assistance and improve the quality of life of parents who raise their children independently. In the coming period, the initiative will be submitted to the relevant city authorities and decision-makers, accompanied by planned meetings and further advocacy activities.

The Li-Woman Association Livno thanks all participants for their active engagement, constructive proposals, and support for the initiative. Through continued dialogue and advocacy efforts, we will continue to work towards ensuring that the needs of single-parent families are recognized and adequately incorporated into local policies, with the goal of creating a safer and higher-quality environment for parents and children in Livno.