FOSTER CARE CONFERENCE: “An opportunity for the most vulnerable children to grow and reach their full potential – and a benefit for the whole community”

June 24, 2025: The Second Annual Foster Care Conference titled “Foster Care in FBiH: Living, Growing Up and Building a System Together” was held in Sarajevo, organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, in partnership with UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Association for Advisory and Educational Support for Foster Care in FBiH, with financial support from the European Union.

The conference was organized as part of the project “Strengthening the Social and Child Protection and Education System in BiH to Provide Inclusive Services and Prevent the Institutionalization of Children,” funded by the European Union. It brought together representatives of government, line ministries, social protection institutions, social work centres from across the Federation of BiH, professionals, foster parents, and youth with lived experience in foster families, with the aim of strengthening dialogue around developing a functional and sustainable foster care system in the Federation of BiH.

“When we talk about foster care, we are talking about the essence of how a society cares for its children. Today, we have a law that laid the foundation for the development of foster care, we have nearly 300 foster families – and that is something we can all be proud of. But we didn’t stop there. We have prepared amendments to the Law on Foster Care which are now approaching parliamentary procedure. These changes are aimed at strengthening the system. I particularly want to highlight the introduction of mandatory training for all foster carers before placing a child in a family, clearly defined procedures, stronger protection and rights for children, and greater respect and support for the foster parents themselves,” said Adnan Delić, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy.

Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to BiH, emphasized the EU’s ongoing support for the reform of the social protection system in BiH and stressed the importance of joint action to achieve progress:
“For us in the European Union, these sessions are always about living standards, about conditions of life, about improving the quality of life in partner countries. One of the key issues in that context is social protection, which is a fundamental element in improving the life prospects of children born into social and personal hardship – and this is a key element in offering them a chance at a different, successful and normal life. The EU has allocated €10 million to ensure the capacities and opportunities for system improvements and enhanced services in this field, and we are working together with the relevant ministry and UNICEF on this path,” said Ellero.

“Foster carers, young people in foster care, associations supporting foster families, social work professionals, psychologists, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy – all of you, all of us, make up an ecosystem that provides opportunities – fair opportunities – for the most vulnerable children to grow and reach their full potential. That is today’s message,” said Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in BiH. He called on all decision-makers with the power to accelerate the adoption of the Law on Social Services and amendments to the Law on Foster Care – to do so:
“Legal frameworks are extremely important because they allow systems to improve. Of course, they are not sufficient on their own – but they are essential. What we are doing today, what you are doing, is recognizing those efforts and showing that progress is real in Bosnia and Herzegovina – a country that is proving it can meet the highest standards. Because investing in the most vulnerable children is the key investment – and you have the heart, the vision, and the ability to make it happen,” Lucet concluded.

Suada Selimović, President of the Association for Advisory and Educational Support for Foster Care in FBiH, emphasized that events like this Conference are vital for promoting foster care:
“Our role as an Association is to prepare foster carers for all challenges and to help them make an informed decision about becoming foster parents. Our second role is working with professionals and their education, and what’s especially important – promoting foster care. Everyone present here today can help spread the word and encourage those interested to learn more so they can make the decision to become foster carers and offer love to someone else.”

The European Union has allocated more than €6.3 million for the project to strengthen the social and child protection and education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project aims to enhance the capacity of national child protection and social protection systems, which are currently weak. Although Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant progress in advancing human and child rights, the systems still fail to effectively prevent unnecessary separation of children and adults from their families and communities. Children with disabilities in BiH remain exposed to exclusion, prejudice, illiteracy, stigma, and discrimination throughout their lives. The project is implemented by UNICEF in cooperation with the relevant ministries.