INOVA – Initiative for Sustainable Employment
Website: https://inova-posao.ba

Project Overview:
The INOVA project was implemented under the EU4Employment (EUzaZapošljavanje) program, financed by the European Union and Sweden, and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project targeted long-term unemployed women and men (aged 15–64), with long-term unemployment defined as unemployment lasting 12 months or more.

Project Goal:
The main objective was to increase formal employment among long-term unemployed individuals in the Banja Luka region by providing an integrated set of interventions combining activation, skills development, psychological support, and employment pathways.

Project Duration: 16 months (July 2024 – October 2025)
Target Group: Minimum 50 unemployed individuals from Banja Luka, Gradiška, Čelinac, Laktaši, Srbac, and Prnjavor.

Implemented Activities:

• Candidate selection and profiling: 127 participants underwent detailed profiling, including assessment of skills, competencies, preferences, motivation, psychological status, and training needs.
• Motivation support: 67 participants received motivational and psychological sessions to increase confidence and engagement in the labor market.
• Skills development: 50 participants attended institutional training (at the University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and University for Business Studies) and workplace-based training with local employers. Participants also received job-search training (CV writing, cover letters, interview preparation).
• Employment support: 102 participants received continuous guidance, including direct communication with potential employers and access to relevant job openings.
• Employer engagement: 245 local businesses were contacted, 25 cooperation agreements signed, 14 employers participated in subsidized employment, and 8 employers used project funds to support training costs.

Project Results (by end of reporting period):

• 365 individuals reached through communication campaigns.
• 127 participants profiled and entered the user journey.
• 67 participants received motivational support.
• 50 participants received skills development training.
• 102 participants received employment guidance.
• 57 participants secured employment either during or after project participation.

Impact:
INOVA successfully established an innovative and sustainable model of cooperation between labor market institutions, social protection agencies, educational institutions, specialized organizations, and experts to improve employment opportunities for long-term unemployed individuals. The project strengthened local capacities to address unemployment and fostered collaboration with the Employment Bureau of the Banja Luka Branch, with plans to continue and expand the model beyond the regional level.

Strategic Context:
The project contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including young people (15–29), women in rural areas, persons with disabilities, Roma, long-term unemployed, social assistance beneficiaries, and other marginalized groups.

More information: https://eu4employment.ba