Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 27 September 2023 – A further 19 beneficiary families received keys to new apartments in two buildings in the municipality of Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today, thanks to the Regional Housing Programme (RHP). The ceremony, which was attended by all 19 families, took place in front of one of the buildings, in the village of Stupari.

The RHP will come to an end later this year, by which time it will have delivered close to 11 300 secure homes to approximately 36 000 refugee and displaced persons across BiH, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia.

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the event was attended by Sevlid Hurtić, Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Nerin Dizdar, Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Federation of BiH; Gianluca Vannini, Head of Operations, Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to BiH; Jusuf Čavkunović, Mayor of Kladanj, and Damir Gnjidić, Head of the Field Office in Tuzla at the OSCE Mission in BiH, amongst others.

RHP buildings in Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

On behalf of the European Union – the main Donor to the RHP – Gianluca Vannini noted that the Programme had been an excellent example of successful joint work in the region to promote peace, stability, and socioeconomic development. “The homes that we are delivering today are yet another tangible example of the European Union’s support for the citizens of BiH,” he said. “I am very satisfied with the results we have achieved.” These words were echoed by Minister Dizdar, who commended the successful cooperation between BiH and the EU.

Gianluca Vannini congratulates RHP beneficiaries in Kladanj

Congratulating the beneficiaries on their new homes, Minister Hurtić stated: “A new home is a happy moment for every person. These nineteen families no longer have to worry about keeping warm this winter, and their children now have adequate conditions for learning and a carefree childhood.”

One of the beneficiaries, Senaid Mustafić, recounted how he had lived for 27 years in various forms of abandoned accommodation. “I am happy that I will continue my life in my new apartment with my future neighbours – better days are ahead for all of us,” he smiled.

Mayor Čavkunović, Minister Hurtić, Gianluca Vannini and Minister Dizdar with RHP beneficiaries

RHP beneficiary enters his new apartment