In the period from June 29 to July 1, 2026, a three-day seminar dedicated to improving communication and cross-sectoral cooperation between organizations of people with disabilities, decision makers and service providers was held at the Hotel Terme Ozren in Petrovo.

The seminar was organized by the Information Center for People with Disabilities "Lotos" Tuzla in partnership with STIL - Center for Independent Living Sweden, with the financial support of Kynnys ry, Disability Partnership Finland, European Disability Forum (EDF), Trag/Oak Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During three working days, 23 participants gathered, including representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, government institutions, the health and social sector, and other relevant actors. Among the participants were 19 women and 4 men, including five people with disabilities. The seminar brought together representatives of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Tuzla Canton, the University Clinical Center Tuzla, centers for social work, the Center for Education and Gender Equality of the Republika Srpska, and organizations of persons with disabilities.

Through panel discussions, presentations, practical exercises, case studies and group work, the participants considered issues of disability from the perspective of human rights, communication accessibility, exercising the rights of persons with disabilities, systemic response of institutions, improving the quality of services and developing more efficient cooperation between institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities.

The special importance of the seminar is reflected in the joint creation of concrete recommendations for the improvement of policies and practices, which will be the basis for future advocacy activities. At the same time, it was agreed to intensify the cooperation between institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities, with the continuation of the exchange of experiences and joint work on improving the accessibility and quality of services.

The seminar additionally strengthened cooperation with representatives of key institutions at all levels of government, health and social institutions, and civil society organizations, opening space for new joint initiatives in the field of protection and advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities.

"The seminar showed that open communication, mutual understanding and joint planning are the key to better quality and more accessible services for people with disabilities."

The joint work of all participants once again confirmed that sustainable and systemic solutions can only be built through partnership, dialogue and the active involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.