TİKA Supports Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) supported the social and economic reintegration of individuals recovering from psychoactive substance abuse by establishing a vocational training workshop at the Smoluça Psychoactive Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Center in Lukavac, a city in the Tuzla Canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Founded in 2004 by the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina and granted public institution status in 2013, the center has provided rehabilitation services to nearly 500 individuals from across the country and surrounding regions. Currently housing around 20 residents, the center follows a holistic rehabilitation model that includes therapy, art, agriculture, and sports.

The vocational training workshop established through this TİKA initiative equips residents with practical skills, supporting their psychological, social, and economic empowerment. The ultimate goal is to prepare individuals to re-enter the labor market and lead independent lives after completing rehabilitation.

In addition, the project is expected to enhance the center’s sustainability and operational capacity through income generated from vocational production activities.

The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sarajevo, Emin Akseki; TİKA’s Coordinator in Sarajevo, Erdinç Işık; Tuzla Mufti, Vahid ef. Fazlović, Secretary of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Labor, Social Policy and Return, Anto Iljkić; Lukavac Chief Imam, Zijad ef. Vehabović and Center Director, Mevludin Joldić.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Tuzla Mufti Vahid ef. Fazlović emphasized the value of TİKA’s sustainable and people-centered projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating that the initiative offers hope to those seeking a fresh start. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to TİKA for its continued support.

TİKA remains committed to promoting the active participation of individuals in society through its rehabilitation, education, and vocational development projects for disadvantaged groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina.