For more than 25 years, CARE International organization has offered social and economic aid in the Balkans to help the marginalized groups affected as a result of inter-regional disturbances. 

History of CARE International in the Balkans

In the 1990s, CARE International’s humanitarian efforts focused on addressing the trauma caused by the widespread war that plagued the region. Most of the trauma from these wars included displacement, destruction and intercultural tension within the Balkans. In response, CARE led many life-saving humanitarian efforts in the 1990s to help restore the region.

The life-saving efforts included:

• Helping the process of displaced people returning to their home regions.
• Providing another opportunity for livelihood after war for displaced people.
• Improving access to social protection for the most vulnerable.
• Addressing issues with reconstruction and society and calling on civil society to make changes.
• Overall, improving social well-being for the population.

Present Day Aid with CARE International

By the year 2000, CARE International began shifting its focus to social and economic aid in the Balkans as the region stabilized after the war. Within the more stable Balkan region, CARE International focuses on supporting underrepresented groups by expanding their access to opportunities and rights through two main pillars:

1. The integration of marginalized and vulnerable groups into Balkan society through socio-economic strategies to improve opportunities for livelihoods.
2. Equality for marginalized and vulnerable groups through practices that encourage chances for every group to be represented in all areas, especially not based upon gender, all the way up to the government.

With these two vital pillars, CARE International seeks to make new opportunities for vulnerable groups to gain access to the same opportunities as everyone else in the Balkan region. These opportunities also offer a vital source of peace within the region. CARE International also contributes to ensuring sustainable peace within the Balkans. In addition to the aforementioned opportunities, CARE provides many different peacebuilding and conflict protection services in the region that offer vulnerable groups the aid they need after experiencing violence.

Looking Ahead: Social and Economic Aid in the Balkans

CARE International’s social and economic aid in the Balkans extends to all groups in need of support. Indeed, its goals focus on assisting struggling communities throughout the region and helping them reach their full potential. This opportunity for vulnerable groups helps the Balkan region continue to prosper economically and, in return, closes the gap of missed chances for lower-income or vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, CARE International’s efforts offer a chance to improve the livelihoods of many underrepresented or lower-income groups by expanding access to better social and economic opportunities.

As CARE International’s efforts focused on social and economic aid in the Balkans, the region’s support is evident through the increased participation of vulnerable groups in society on more equal terms. Through the humanitarian aid powered by CARE International, the groups most in need get a chance at a proper livelihood and the ability to live their lives to the fullest.

– Angelina Tas

Angelina is based in Cleveland, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr