LIR Civil Society, together with regional partners, has launched UNITE-WB – United against Domestic Violence in the Western Balkans, a new regional initiative aimed at strengthening protection, support services and opportunities for women survivors of domestic violence across four Western Balkan countries.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project will be implemented over 33 months, from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2029, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia.
Building on existing regional cooperation and experience in supporting women survivors of violence, UNITE-WB seeks to create stronger, more sustainable connections between safe houses, civil society organisations and relevant institutions, while placing the needs, rights and long-term empowerment of survivors at the centre of its activities.
Joining forces across the Western Balkans
UNITE-WB brings together five partner organisations from four countries:
- LIR Civil Society (LIR CD) and Women from Una – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Liria – Kosovo*
- SOS Nikšić – Montenegro
- ATINA – Serbia
With ASB South East Europe (ASB SEE) providing regional coordination and backstopping support, the project will connect 22 safe houses across the four countries, supporting the development of a structured regional network for cooperation, knowledge exchange and mutual assistance. In addition to the four project countries, organisations and relevant stakeholders from Albania and North Macedonia will be invited to participate in selected cross-country activities, creating further opportunities for regional exchange, learning and cooperation.
The initiative recognises that organisations supporting women survivors of violence often face similar challenges, including limited resources, increasing demand for specialised services and the need for stronger coordination between different actors.
By bringing together organisations with diverse experience and expertise, UNITE-WB aims to transform existing cooperation into a more coordinated and sustainable regional approach.
Strengthening services, capacities and opportunities
The project focuses on interconnected priorities to strengthen regional cooperation, improve shelter services and promote the economic independence of women survivors of domestic violence.
Regional cooperation and networking: Establishing a regional network of 22 women’s shelters and partner organisations to strengthen cross-border cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange and develop a transnational referral pathway through joint events and peer learning.
Strengthening shelter capacities and services: Improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of shelter services through infrastructure upgrades, essential equipment and targeted training for shelter staff, ensuring safer and more survivor-centred support.
Women’s economic empowerment: Enhancing survivors’ economic independence through employment and self-employment support, skills development and cooperation with public and private sector actors.
Institutional cooperation and sustainability: Strengthening partnerships between shelters, civil society organisations and relevant institutions to improve coordinated responses, promote good practices and ensure sustainable support for survivors beyond the project period.
Awareness raising and advocacy: Increasing awareness of the challenges faced by women survivors of violence, highlighting the vital role of shelters and promoting stronger institutional commitment to effective, accessible and sustainable support services.
From regional cooperation to lasting change
Through UNITE-WB, LIR Civil Society and its regional partners aim to strengthen the quality and coordination of support available to women survivors of violence, while developing a regional network capable of continuing cooperation beyond the project’s duration. By involving organisations and stakeholders from Albania and North Macedonia in selected cross-country activities, the project will also create opportunities to broaden regional dialogue, exchange experiences and share good practices beyond the four project countries.
Expected results include stronger professional and organisational capacities, improved exchange of knowledge and good practices, enhanced cooperation with institutions and greater opportunities for women’s empowerment and independence.
The project also seeks to encourage shared approaches to challenges that extend beyond national borders, recognising that effective protection and long-term recovery require cooperation between organisations, communities and institutions.
A shared commitment to safer futures
For LIR Civl Society and its regional partners, UNITE-WB represents an important step towards building a more connected and responsive support system for women survivors of domestic violence in the Western Balkans.
By combining local expertise with regional cooperation, the project aims to ensure that safe houses and support organisations are better equipped to respond to survivors’ needs and contribute to lasting improvements in their safety, dignity and independence.
Because every woman deserves safety, support and the opportunity to build a future free from violence.
UNITE-WB is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by partner organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia, with regional coordination and backstopping support provided by ASB South East Europe (ASB SEE).
