Europe

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine

Kvinna till Kvinna supports women’s rights organisations in Europe. We have offices in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje.

The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, with the first 8 years including the Russian annexation of Crimea, and the war in Donbas. On February 24th 2022 Russia initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and since then on-ground and air strikes have terrorised the citizens of the country, resulting in devastating numbers of killed and injured civilians, and millions of internally displaced persons.

Memorial day for Bosnia & Herzegovina war_Photo Denija Hidić - Cure Foundation

Photo: Denija Hidić/Cure Foundation

The Western Balkans region provides a tough context: it is marred by rising nationalism, corruption and low public trust. Speaking up here can be dangerous: many activists face violent opposition.

Together with our partners, we prevent gender-based violence and support victims and survivors. We advocate for peace, reconciliation and minority rights. We work to ensure gender mainstreaming is part of countries’ road to EU membership.

We also have our head office based in Stockholm, and an office in Brussels focused on EU Advocacy (on all our programme countries and themes globally, including those in Europe).

Where we work in Europe

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The end of the war in Former Yugoslavia left Bosnia and Herzegovina ethnically divided and unstable. The country's women's movement promotes peace, reconciliation and gender equality, and advocates for redress for victims/survivors of violence.

Kosovo

Despite Kosovo's ongoing dispute with Serbia and recurring ethnic tensions, Kosovo's women's movement has booked remarkable successes. It has united women across ethnic lines and achieved recognition for victims/survivors of wartime sexual violence.

North Macedonia

Political changes in 2017 provided new opportunities to put women’s rights on the agenda of North Macedonia’s EU accession process. Our partners combat gender-based violence, support peacebuilding efforts and increase women’s political participation.

Serbia

Serbia is characterised by a troubled wartime past, strong nationalism and tension with Kosovo. As women's rights receive little attention, our partners continue combatting domestic violence, supporting victims/survivors and promoting peacebuilding.

Ukraine

We support organisations focusing on the needs and rights of diverse women, including LBTQI women and women with disabilities.
Read more »

Advocating towards the EU—how Kvinna till Kvinna and partners make a difference for women in the Western Balkans

 

 

Read more »

"Supporting a strong and independent women's movement is a wise investment in a peaceful and democratic future for the Balkans."

– Ristin Thomasson, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans

Women’s demonstration on 8 March in Skopje, Macedonia. Photo: Emilija Dimoska / Kvinna till Kvinna

News from Europe

Highlighting women’s peace work in Kosovo

Making a difference through projects for change

Supporting internally displaced persons and women’s rights in Ukraine

“The invasion created a different kind of violence”

Rebuilding lives in Kherson: “We want to create safe spaces”

The shame is not ours or the burden of another’s shame