SEI Project Advisory Board meeting held: Presented results and planned activities
At the meeting of the SEI Centre Advisory Board, held today at the SEI Centre, members were informed about the past and planned activities of the project “Socio-Economic Inclusion in the Brčko District of BiH.” The meeting also included online participation of representatives of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the meeting, an overview of key activities was presented, including employment support programmes through the engagement of interns with interested employers, public calls, professional orientation workshops, as well as continuous cooperation with public institutions and the non-governmental sector. The contribution of the SEI Centre to strengthening socio-economic inclusion and increasing the employability of young people, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and Roma in the Brčko District of BiH was emphasized. In addition, members were introduced to the operations of the first social enterprise “Optimus,” based in the SEI Centre and established with the support of the SEI project.
Project Manager Branislav Tanasijević, among other things, pointed out that nearly 100 upskilling and reskilling programmes for beneficiaries were implemented last year through the project, significantly improving their employment opportunities and active participation in the labour market. He also informed participants that a Public Call for Expression of Interest has been published for local self-government units in Bosnia and Herzegovina to present the SEI Centre model, with the aim of transferring good practices and experiences gained during project implementation to other cities.
He also announced the participation of the SEI Centre in the International Trade Fair of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be held from 30 September to 3 October 2026, as an opportunity to promote project results and connect with businesses and potential partners.
Regarding infrastructure, Tanasijević emphasized that the SEI Centre building is not in a satisfactory condition; however, all planned activities defined by the project budget have been successfully implemented. He noted that modernising the heating system through a future project would significantly contribute to cost savings and reduced maintenance expenses. He added that the existing hall is regularly used for trainings, workshops, and other activities, and expressed hope that the Government of the Brčko District of BiH will take steps towards improving the Centre’s infrastructure in the coming period. He particularly highlighted the successful establishment of the social enterprise “Optimus,” supported through the SEI project, as an example of sustainable project results and the creation of new employment opportunities for vulnerable groups. Finally, he announced the project’s closing conference, to be held at the end of the year upon its completion.
Members of the Advisory Board, comprising representatives of Brčko District BiH institutions, the public sector, the Youth Council, the Chamber of Commerce, employers, and civil society organizations, actively participated in the discussion and provided constructive suggestions for improving the work of the SEI Centre. They welcomed the Centre’s activities as a best practice example compared to other cities in BiH and commended the project results, recalling previous forms of support from the Government of the Brčko District, including the establishment of the social enterprise, the employment of interns, and the organization of the Trade Fair, in which the SEI Centre participated last year. It was also emphasized that further support opportunities will be intensified in the coming period to ensure the sustainability of the achieved results. Furthermore, they noted that the project was implemented at the right time, especially considering that the socio-economic inclusion sector has so far had limited institutional and development support, and that there is a need to continue such activities in the future.
