Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Banja Luka (HCABL)

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (hCa) Banja Luka was officially registered on August 16, 1996 as a local non-governmental organization in Republika Srpska /Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since that period, hCa Banja Luka has actively participated in promotion, strengthening, and linking civil initiatives, working on reconciliation and empowerment of marginalized groups for political activism, both on local and regional level. hCa Banja Luka aspires to fulfill its vision through three program areas: Strengthening the Civil Society and Transformation of Public Authorities into the Citizens Service, Advocacy for Gender Equality, and Creating Conditions for More Intensive Inclusion of Youth in Public Life. Mission: Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka is an organization that supports and stimulates autonomy and freedom of all citizens through involvement of marginalized social groups in democratic processes, particularly women and youth. Vision: Society of equal opportunities for all. Priorities of Action:  Empowerment of socially marginalized groups, particularly women, youth and minorities, for political action and improvement of their position in society; Influence on public institutions in Bosnia ad Herzegovina for improvement of laws and public policies towards these socially marginalized groups; Increase of representation and improvement of portrayal of women, youth and minorities in the media; Raising public awareness of all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina on discrimination of marginalized groups and mechanisms of protection of their rights; Strengthening of cooperation with other organizations and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and internationally; Providing access to education programs, literature, knowledge and skills related to peace-building, development of civil society, human rights to all citizens of BiH; Continuous education of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka staff and creating conditions for sustainability of the organization. For an overview of the most important results of their work in the period from 1996 to 2014, please see attached document: Achievements HPG BL 1996-2014 Education programs  Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly  Banja Luka HPG Banja Luka gathers trainers, men and women who are, for the purpose of ours and other organizations, in charge of the following fields:  strengthening capacities of NGOs such as strategic planning, fundraising, public relations…), non-violent communication, conflict solving, human rights and gender equality.  By doing so, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka promotes its aim and policy to other social groups which are not directly involved with projects. It also contributes to financial sustainability of the Organization. To get an overview of what trainings they can offer and do, please see the document attached: Edukativni Programi