Our mission has always been to help people to help themselves, but to do so using a methodology that ensures changes involve different relevant stakeholders in the community, thus ensuring sustainability and local ownership, as well as transfers of knowledge, says Help’s Masa Bubanj
At a moment when Help is marking 25 years of activities in Serbia and Montenegro, and will soon commemorate 30 years active in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we spoke with Masa Bubanj, Head of Help’s Regional Office Europe, which is active in 11 countries, who said that, looking back, everyone at this organisation is very proud of what has been achieved.
This is an important milestone for Help in Southeast and Eastern Europe. How would you reflect on these achievements and their importance for the region?
— This year is a special one for us, marking 25 years in Serbia and Montenegro, while we’ll soon commemorate 30 years in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We are now active in 11 countries in Europe, with our head office in Germany. Looking back, we are very proud of what we’ve achieved. In growing steadily yet cautiously, we had moments when our actions had to be reshaped and adopted to the needs of the most vulnerable, in order to be able to serve our purpose. However, we’ve also grown as an organisation, especially in terms of our human capital, as one of the key success factors. Our team has managed to implement 562 projects. Help has worked with 468 local governments around the region. We are present in 89% of municipalities in some countries, so almost covering the entire country. We do provide emergency assistance when needed, but the core in this region is development during the period of transition, economic empowerment, capacity building, education, resocialisation, social inclusion, improving housing conditions, etc.
Another milestone is the resocialisation programme in Serbia. How has it contributed to stability and human rights around the region?
— We pioneered this concept in the Western Balkans, launching it 10 years ago in Serbia, while now the programme has extended to different countries of the region. Resocialisation is a complex process that requires both legal structures and a supportive environment in which individuals can truly rehabilitate.
In assisting the marginalised, we utilise local knowledge and expertise, enhance capacities, empower our partners and ensure sustainability and local ownership
We see the difference by measuring the results: 65 workshops equipped with tools and equipment; over 5,500 inmates and prison staff involved in educational programmes; post-release employment opportunities created for 115 former prisoners.
Help has also been at the forefront of promoting inclusion. How do your programmes contribute to a more inclusive society and what role does sustainability play?
— There must be synergy, otherwise it won’t function so successfully. Our advantage is our presence in the field, directly in communities, with people in need and local actors. Our work is based on two guidelines: empowerment and localisation. This is why our projects have been implemented in partnership with over 300 local partners, targeting youth, women, children, minorities, refugees, IDPs, people with disabilities, asylum seekers and other marginalised groups. In assisting the marginalised, we utilise local knowledge and expertise, enhance capacities, empower our partners and ensure sustainability and local ownership.
Regional cooperation has been a key part of Help’s work in the Balkans. How does this improve stability and progress?
— Regional cooperation is very important to us, as it restores hope. As an organisation, we also reflect importance through the work our regional office. We need regional cooperation and initiatives in order to bring people closer and encourage them to work together, solve problems together and live in a society with prospects for their children.
As you celebrate these major milestones, what message would you like to share with your partners and the wider public?
— We deeply appreciate the trust and unwavering support of our donors, partners and the people we assist. This has been the driving force propelling our success and growth.