Numerous civil society organizations from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, all working on important issues every day, visited the Center for Education and Research “Nahla,” which hosted the third study visit under the PRAGG project. The visit focused on adult education programmes, cooperation models with employers, and the challenges and opportunities for long-term sustainability in the NGO sector.
Nahla’s accredited programmes in administration, accounting, data science, and other areas provide a pathway to professional development and employment. Through these programmes, more than 50 women who completed Nahla’s training have already connected with employers, in a clear sign that the programmes offer real opportunities, not just theoretical knowledge.
“As an organization, we are committed to sharing knowledge with our beneficiaries, but also within the NGO sector. Unfortunately, the legal framework is far from ideal, which is why supporting each other is essential. At meetings like this, we hear different perspectives, challenges, and concrete ways to solve problems,” said Sehija Dedović, President of CEI Nahla.
The presence of NGOs with very different missions illustrated how much the civil sector does to fill gaps that other institutions rarely reach. These are often particular niche issues and groups that would otherwise remain overlooked or underserved.
Still, Dedović noted that the numbers reveal the scale of the challenge. Since the 1990s, 27,000 NGOs have been registered in BiH. Today, about 17,500 are active, and yet the entire sector employs just over 8,000 people.
“For me, that’s a devastating figure. It means that most people in NGOs either volunteer, work elsewhere, aren’t formally employed, or rely on short-term contracts. These numbers clearly show how under-resourced the sector is, and how hard it is to plan and deliver the long-term changes that are truly needed,” Dedović stressed.
Representatives of Women for Women International, Džana Pašić and Nermana Deljkić, who took part in the study visit, said that the sharing of experiences and examples of good practice showed that strategic thinking about sustainability and positioning is possible, even if it’s often very challenging in today’s uncertain environment.
“We appreciate and genuinely welcome the initiative to bring us together. With so many excellent activities happening every day across BiH, there is rarely time for real networking and joint reflection on the future of the sector,” they said.
During the sessions, attended by around 20 participants from Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Srbac, Travnik, Lukavac, Tuzla and Mostar, discussions covered NGO self-sustainability, what income from an organization’s own work actually means, when it can be generated independently and when it requires a separate legal entity, the obstacles along that path, the need for fiscal compliance, and opportunities for registered companies to offer additional services beyond their primary activities.
This third PRAGG study visit highlighted the importance of synergy between NGOs, educational institutions, and employers in creating sustainable change. Adult education and career development programmes are more than support for individuals – they are a foundation for stronger, fairer and more economically resilient communities.
The visit was organised by the PRAGG project, which is funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by a consortium consisting of HELVETAS and NIRAS in BiH, in partnership with local partners – Centers for Civic Initiatives (CCI) and the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
