Stronger Together: Regional Exchange of Experiences Among Organizations Providing Direct Support to Women

Atina participated in a regional event held from October 9 to 12 in Bar, Montenegro. This gathering brought together organizations from the Trag/Oak portfolio in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro that directly support women in sharing knowledge, connecting, and strengthening their efforts.

During the event, participants addressed key topics such as standardization and sustainability of support services, care for service providers, and methods of collecting and analyzing data on provided services. A special focus was also placed on presenting innovative approaches and new support models for women through work in small, focused groups.

One of the event’s highlights was the presentation by the Center for Support to Women (https://www.cpz.rs/), which introduced a database developed for recording support services, emphasizing the importance of data analysis. The Center also presented its work and the process of establishing sexual violence crisis centers in Vojvodina, where five such centers now exist – in Vrbas, Zrenjanin, Novi Sad, Kikinda, and Sremska Mitrovica – while the rest of Serbia still lacks this form of support.

The participants also discussed challenges related to the sustainability of services for women survivors of gender-based violence and cooperation with state institutions, particularly at the local and national levels. A notable observation was the apparent difference in the position of civil society organizations providing services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro compared to those in Serbia. In Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro, organizations receive financial support from the state to implement community services, while in Serbia, the present organizations reported not having such state support.

In a dedicated session, Atina’s Lidija Đorđević shared the organization’s supervision support model for direct support team members. This supervision model, integrated into Atina’s regular operations for over two decades, focuses on caring for service providers and is uniquely designed based on the organization’s and team members’ needs. Its two main functions are supportive, assisting, and educational. More about Atina’s feminist supervision model can be found in the publication Stronger Together with Feminist Supervision Support, available here: Snaznije zajedno.pdf

The event also highlighted efforts toward service standardization. It featured the work of two regional organizational networks: the Safe Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Women Against Violence Network of Serbia. Learn more about their work at:

https://www.zeneprotivnasilja.net/o-nama/mreza-zpn

https://www.sigurnamreza.ba/

An innovative concept from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 4P Helpers Network, was also presented. This network comprises 80 women helpers. More about the helpers and how to find a helper in your community is available at https://mreza4p.com/.

The final sessions were devoted to restoring inner balance through breathing techniques and yoga, energizing participants for future actions, projects, and the collective struggles ahead.

These gatherings are invaluable. Sharing knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned with women’s rights defenders across the region remains a vital source of strength and inspiration. Thanks to the Trag Foundation and OAK for another opportunity to come together, grow stronger, and unite in our cause.