First Fair of Employment of Persons with Disabilities held in Mostar

The first Fair of Employment of Persons with Disabilities was held in Mostar on 12 June to promote the right to work and employment of people with disabilities, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The fair is organized as a part of the project P.O.W.E.R, funded by the European Union through the IPA II Cross-Border Cooperation Program Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

The fair was opened by people with disabilities who had the opportunity to work as apprentices within the project P.O.W.E.R. Representatives of the Office for Student Support, who presented the work of the University of Sarajevo, and more than 40 other exhibitors from various institutions, organizations, associations of people with disabilities, social enterprises, companies and protective workshops were also present at the Fair. Within the Fair, two workshops on incentives for employment of people with disabilities and active job search were held, along with the presentation of examples of good practices.

The Project P.O.W.E.R. financed by the European Union in the amount of 390,000 euros, and implemented by Caritas of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro: the Archbishop's Center for Pastoral Youth Ivan Paul II, the Association of Parents and Children with Special Needs Vedri smijeh, the Vocational Rehabilitation Fund and employment of persons with disabilities of the Federation of BiH, Caritas Bar Archbishopric, Association of Paraplegic Bar and Biznisstart-up Center from Bar. The project lasts for two years and is realized on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Within the project P.O.W.E.R. another apprentice is employed at the Office for Student Support, University of Sarajevo.