Recent VESTA Association Civil Initiatives (2005-2007)

These projects were supported by the European Union

Novi Grad Playground Restoration

The playground in the local community of Novi Grad in Tuzla was restored and renovated. The campaign was initiated by the children and leaders from this local community. The project received considerable support from the Tuzla Municipality.

Spomen Park Renovation

In cooperation with citizens and with the support of local authorities,  Spomen Park in the community of Tušanj was renovated. The purpose of the campaign was to help restore the cultural-historical heritage of Tuzla and ensure a safe place for citizens to gather and socialize. The official ceremony was attended by the then Ambassador of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael B. Humphreys.

Diabetes Campaign

VESTA Association worked with the non-governmental organization Novi Horizonti to improve health care for children suffering from diabetes in the Tuzla Canton. The campaign pushed for the inclusion of a certain type of insulin onto the list of essential medications in the Tuzla Canton, which insured better treatment and care for these children.

The Norne Association: Supporting Single and Divorced Parents

Youth Employment Program

VESTA helped create an employment program for young people of legal age living without parental care. Through a priority employment program, numerous young people from Tuzla got their first jobs.

Football Field Renovation in Baljkovica

The football field in the community of Baljkovica in the Sapna municipality was renovated and put to use. This project revived the cultural/sports life in the adjacent communities of minority returnees, improved the overall conditions for the reintegration of returnees, and created a valuable and sustainable public space for all local citizens.

Street Lighting in Rastošnica

Lighting was installed on the street next to the minority return community of Rastošnica, in the Sapna municipality. The project improved safety in the neighborhood, allowing for the possibility of more socialization among the community members  Support for this initiative was provided by Sapna municipality, emigrants from Sapna who live abroad, and the electric-power company Elektroprivreda BiH.

Office Renovation and Staff Training in Rastošnica and Skakovica

Administrative conditions were improved for organizations serving minority returnees in the local communities of Rastošnica and Skakovica in the Sapna municipality. VESTA Association and local partners furnished the offices with new equipment and helped local staff improve their means of communicating with returnees.

Sports Field Renovation

VESTA Association invested in the athletic and cultural life of youth in the returnee communities of Šibošnica, Drijenča, Miladići, Visori, Nahvioci, Humci and Piperi in the Čelić area. With the support of the local authorities and emigrants, the sports field was renovated and new equipment was purchased for the local sports society which currently consists of tens of young returnees as well as other youth from the area.

Reliable Garbage Removal in Koraj and Repovac

VESTA and its partners helped ensure regular garbage removal service in the minority return communities of Koraj in the Lopare municipality and Repovac in the Bratunac municipality. Heaps of garbage had threatened the health and existence of minority returnees in these communities.  Through this civil initiative, the environmental conditions were improved, thereby protecting the health of local residents.

Playground Renovation in the Bratunac Municipality

School playgrounds and parks in the minority return communities of Voljevica and Konjević Polje in the Bratunac municipality were restored and renovated. These projects improved the social life of children and furthered the reintegration of returnees.

Clean Air Campaign

Through the public awareness campaign "Let's Breath Fresh Air," VESTA Association informed the citizens of Tuzla about the polluted air they breathe every day. As a result, the Government of Tuzla Canton established posts that measure the air quality at five different locations around Tuzla.  This project was supported by The World Bank.