New projects launched in Sarajevo to create 625 jobs for marginalized groups
- Sixteen new projects were launched in Sarajevo to support employment for marginalized groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The initiatives aim to create 625 jobs and include efforts to engage at least 1,250 unemployed individuals and 800 Roma in labor market awareness.
- The event highlighted the need for a national employment strategy, with support from the EU and Sweden to improve socio-economic conditions.
On September 12, 2024, a significant event took place in Sarajevo where the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) unveiled 16 new projects aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for marginalized groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative is designed to address the challenges faced by individuals who encounter multiple barriers to employment, including young people, women in rural areas, persons with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed. The projects are expected to create 625 jobs and include initiatives to raise labor market awareness among at least 800 Roma individuals. The event, titled 'Knowledge Exchange – Making the World of Work Inclusive,' emphasized the importance of integrating support for those distanced from the labor market. Ambassador Luigi Soreca, representing the EU, acknowledged that while the number of beneficiaries is limited, it is a step towards addressing broader employment issues in the country. He urged local authorities to adopt a national employment strategy, highlighting the EU's readiness to assist in these efforts. Sweden's Ambassador Helena Lagerlof reiterated her country's commitment to improving working conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, viewing it as crucial for the nation’s development. The ILO's Coordinator in BiH, Lejla Tanović, noted that the projects are funded through the EU4Employment initiative, which has allocated four million euros from the EU and one million euros from Sweden, aiming to foster a more inclusive labor market.