Our History

Save the Children has been present in North West Balkans since the 4-years long violent conflict ended in 1996. The work of Save the Children evolved from humanitarian relief to development throughout the past 16 years. Currently, we are implementing programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro in four thematic areas: Child Rights Governance, Child Protection, Education and Emergency.  Save the Children is recognized as the expert organization on these topics in the Region.

After the initial humanitarian response and interventions aiming at improving the living conditions and providing psycho-social support to children and families victims of the violent conflict which lasted from 1992-1995 in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but affected and impacted also the neighbouring countries Serbia and Montenegro, Save the Children focused more on developmental work. The scope of interventions covered from pre-school and primary education, through support to children without parental care and disabled children, reconciliation efforts, psycho-social support to children, development of policies and strategies, building capacities of CSOs and institutions, establishment of children’s groups for monitoring of CR, prevention of violence and abuse, prevention of on-line abuse and exploitation, building of institutions for children, child rights monitoring, capacity building of professionals and practitioners to strengthening national mechanisms for monitoring and implementation of child rights, child friendly services for children performing street work, all the way to making sure that national institutions prioritize children in events of emergency.