Article
Project Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a key transit country for migrants heading toward the European Union, yet reliable information about rights and available services is limited. To address this gap, the Fellows created “A Migrants’ Manual for BiH and the EU”—a practical guide designed to help people on the move access essential resources and protect their rights.
Objectives
The goal of the project was to produce an accessible pocket guide for migrants in BiH, covering:
- First steps upon arrival
- Basic rights and protections
- Access to services such as housing, medical care, and legal aid
- Contact information for trusted NGOs and local organizations
The manual was produced in both printed form and as a downloadable PDF accessible via QR code.
Activities
The team held group meetings, conducted research, and consulted with Kompas, a local NGO supporting migrants, to ensure accuracy and relevance. Together they developed a manual that reflects not only what the law says, but also what migrants actually experience in practice. The project was presented at a public event where Fellows received questions and encouraging feedback from peers, journalists, and community members.
Impact and Lessons Learned
The project successfully produced a tool that can directly support people on the move. Collaboration with Kompas highlighted the gap between law and practice in BiH and the importance of equipping migrants with realistic, actionable information.
Key lessons included:
- Contacts to NGOs are often more useful than legal text alone.
- Time constraints limited distribution and translation, but the groundwork has been laid for future expansion.
- Interest from local journalists and peers showed the value and relevance of the project.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, the team aims to:
- Translate the manual into Arabic, Farsi, and French, the most common languages spoken by migrants in BiH.
- Expand distribution through local NGOs, websites, and public spaces along migration routes.
- Print stickers with QR codes for easy access.
