Today representatives from the Council of Europe and the Embassy of Norway paid a visit to NGO “Krila nade” (Wings of Hope) that operates an LGBTI shelter in Sarajevo, in order to underscore their continued commitment to advancing inclusion and protecting the rights of marginalised communities.

The shelter, the first one in Bosnia and Herzegovina, provides a safe haven and psycho-social support for LGBTI individuals facing domestic violence. Established through the joint EU and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkan and Turkiye” and its action “Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina”, it represents a crucial step in providing targeted support to LGBTI community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The shelter first opened its doors in April 2024 to LGBTI victims of domestic violence from all parts of the country, who need quick relocation outside their household as well as professional and sensitised psycho-social support in a safe environment.

The need for shelters and safe spaces was also highlighted as a critical priority by LGBTI activists and policymakers from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions at a Council of Europe-hosted regional conference in November. The conference emphasised the urgency of addressing domestic violence against LGBTI persons in these regions, and the vital role of supporting infrastructure.