In Zepce – Bosnia and Herzegovina, a cross-border cooperation project named „HEARTS“ was presented and a cooperation agreement was signed

On September 23, 2024. In Zepce – BiH, a cross-border cooperation project entitled „HEARTS – Healthcare Equity and Access for Resilient Targeted Support“ was presented, financed as part of INTERREG VI-A IPA Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro 2021 – 2027. The project „Equal access to healthcare services for all vulnerable categories in the cross-border area“ worth 1.7 million euros will last 30 months. The project holders are five partners from Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and the focus is on improving conditions for socialization and work with children with developmental disabilities. 

The project’s activities include equipping the space and purchasing equipment with the aim of better working conditions for professionals who care for children and youth with developmental disabilities. One of the project’s activities is the formation of mobile teams of  specialists, who will operate in local clinics to assist children and their parents in identifying and addressing developmental challenges.

The Development Agency – Žepče, one of the project partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the first kick-off conference attended by representatives of all five partner organizations; NGO Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities – Podgorica, Community Service Center of Vukovar-Srijem County, Development Agency of Vukovar-Srijem County, Public Institution Health Center with Inpatient Clinic – Zepce, as well as representatives of the municipal government led by Mayor Mata Zovko, Minister of Health in Zenica -Doboj County, Aida Salčinović with colleagues, representatives of elementary schools and preschool institutions, the Center for Children and Adults with Special Needs, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations supporting children and youth with special needs from Zepce, Zavidovic and Zenica.

The conference discussed problems in the health care of children with developmental disabilities in the project areas, as well as examples of good practice that are still rare but should be welcomed and tried to be „transferred“ to other project areas.
At the conclusion of the conference, a cooperation agreement was signed by all five project partners.
The project, approved for funding under the INTERREG VI-A IPA Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro 2021–2027 program, has a total budget of €1,716,255.00. Of this, 85% is financed by the EU, while the remaining 15% is co-funded by the project partners.