Quarterly Progress Report QPR-006: Marginalized Populations Support Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The project duration is from February 2015 to February 2020, and it is implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, with NGO & Business Audit d.o.o. as an approved subcontractor. The project aims to support local organizations that advocate for the rights, empowerment, and dignity of underrepresented groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including youth, women, religious minorities, Romani, disabled persons, minority returnees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. The project also seeks to build the capacity of local NGOs, BiH institutions, and USAID implementing partners to promote and protect the rights of these underrepresented citizens. The project provides grants to local organizations that promote the rights and dignity of marginalized populations and enhances their performance and management capacity through formal classroom training, mentorship, and one-on-one coaching. Training topics include legal structures, financial management, human resources, internal control systems, project performance management, procurement systems, organizational sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation. By the end of the project's life, the activity aims to strengthen the performance of at least 40 BiH NGOs and other organizations, enhance the performance of at least 75 current USAID local partners, and build the expertise of at least 75 BiH government leaders of municipalities and ministries collaborating with USAID. During the reporting period of July-September 2016, notable program activities included the signing of a grant agreement with the organization "Srce puno osmijeha" from Sarajevo for the implementation of their project "Krug ljubavi", which aims to improve the position of underprivileged children, improve their psychological state, and improve the social inclusion of youth with special needs. The project will be implemented in 6 local communities and has a project value of 22,000.00 BAM. Additionally, two Requests for Applications (RFAs) were completed during the reporting period: one for supporting the activities of the LGBT community in BiH and another for supporting entrepreneurship of women from marginalized groups. The project also signed grant agreements with local self-government units for establishing a Fund for supporting businesses owned by women from marginalized groups. The project's implementation and expected results are designed to respond flexibly and swiftly to public demand for humanitarian and other material assistance, and to ensure that the government recognizes marginalized groups as necessary and respectable partners in policy development.