OlamAid unites Balkan Stakeholders: Belgrade and Sarajevo Conferences forge new pathways for Food Security

This November, OlamAid successfully organized two crucial national conferences on Food Security in the Balkan region. These gatherings brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from government representatives to NGOs, civil society organizations, and community leaders, to forge collaborative pathways toward safeguarding the health and well-being of the region's most vulnerable populations.

These national gatherings served as vital platforms for constructive dialogue, directly addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing vulnerable communities in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgrade Conference (13 November)

The first conference took place in Belgrade, Serbia, on November 13th. This initial national gathering set the stage by focusing on:

• Assessing the current state of food security challenges specific to vulnerable communities within Serbia.
• Initiating constructive dialogue on existing gaps in aid delivery and access.
• Beginning the process of mapping out collaborative strategies for more effective and inclusive interventions.

Sarajevo Conference (20 November)

Building on this momentum, the second conference convened in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on November 20th. This event continued the important work, focusing on the unique regional complexities and cross-border opportunities for addressing food insecurity. The Sarajevo conference focused particularly on:

• Fostering greater inclusivity in policy and program design.
• Identifying and leveraging the strengths of local community leaders and civil society organizations.
• Developing actionable steps for more targeted and resilient food assistance programs.

By fostering collaboration between government representatives, NGOs, civil society organizations, and community leaders, the conferences successfully mapped out pathways for greater inclusivity and effective intervention.

"These conferences were not just about identifying the challenges; they were about committing to a shared responsibility. The level of collaboration witnessed in both Belgrade and Sarajevo confirms that we have the collective will and the right partners to build resilient, inclusive systems that truly safeguard the most vulnerable populations across the Balkan region."
– Adi S., Project Coordinator for the Balkan Region, OlamAid

Shared Commitment Across Borders

Both national conferences achieved their primary goal of fostering cross-sector collaboration. OlamAid successfully facilitated a space where:

• Government entities gained deeper insights into community-level challenges.
• Food providers and civil society organizations were able to highlight successful grassroots models.
• Community leaders ensured the voices and real-life needs of vulnerable populations were central to the discussion.

The collective discussions successfully mapped out strategies to safeguard the health and well-being of the most vulnerable populations in the Balkans. OlamAid remains committed to transforming these conference dialogues into tangible action, working alongside our partners to build a future where food security is a reality for every person in the Balkans.