In the ACED premises in Banja Luka on 13 July 2012, the first meeting was held for the formation of GARD Working Groups in the Republic of Srpska . This meeting is part of the regular activities carried out within the framework of ACED GARD project ” Empowering women in rural areas ” ( eng . GARD – Gender Agenda and Rural Development- Empowerment of Women in Rural Society ) , funded by the European Union .
In a very constructive work , in addition to a representatives of network of PROGRESS and agencies ACED – GARD project implementers in BiH , was also attended by representatives of :
– Ministry of Agriculture , Forestry and Water Management
– Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government
– Ministry of Trade and Tourism
– Ministry of Transport and Communications
– RS Chamber of Commerce
– Gender Centre RS
– Faculty of Agriculture Banja Luka
– University Enterprise Center Banja Luka .
Achieved objectives of the meeting :
– Introduction of participants to the activities GARD project ;
– Defining the role GARD working group to strengthen women’s associations in rural areas in the Republic of Slovenia ;
– Exchange of information on activities of RS institutions focused on rural development in the RS through the support of women’s associations ;
– Analysis of institutional mechanisms to support women’s associations in rural areas in the Republic of Slovenia ;
– The status , plans and needs of the network progress and cooperation in the framework of the GARD project
Participants concluded that activities of GARD project offers opportunities for more intensive cooperation of NGOs and institutions in the Republic of Srpska , which should contribute to the empowerment of women in rural areas , not only in RS but also beyond. Further work is expected to officially form a working group for the RS and plan activities to build capacity of the network progress within GARD project .
B/H/S