Our goal to expand the inclusion of Roma girls in football in the territory of the neighboring municipality of Ilijaš in 2021 was made possible by the organization Schüler Helfen Leben. The German Embassy in Sarajevo and the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina donated sports equipment for our activities. Football really has no borders.
Lockdown during the Covid 19 pandemic did not stop us – with the help of the Ecumenical Women’s Initiative from Omiš, we organized our first online activities, i.e. a program of psychosocial support for vulnerable girls in our team. Online sessions were led by psychologist Nela Marinković.
During 2021, almost all Roma girls from Semizovac started to play football in NOVA ŽENA. Free sports equipment for all girls in our team and free regural trainings (two times per week) were provided by Fare network and UNFPA.
By organizing the Round Table for Roma girls/women, we found out their daily struggles for a dignified life. With the help of the Urgent Action Fund, we expanded the range of our activities for the benefit of this ethnic minority; we enabled access to health insurance for two Roma girls and their medical rehabilitation.
Despite the Corona pandemic, in 2020 we started with very important youth work – inclusion of Roma kids in football team NOVA ŽENA. In prime school in Semizovac we held inclusive workshop and continued with trainings, but now with Roma girls and boys. Supported by Fare network/FootballPeople campaign.
