Call for Applications
Balkanska Ženska Akademija 2025
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is excited to announce the third edition of "BAZA – Balkanska Ženska Akademija"! This transformative program is designed to empower liberal female politicians from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to lead effectively.
Over three tailored weekend sessions held in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, participants will engage in modules on political strategy, storytelling, communication, and leadership. Each session is designed to inspire, educate, and prepare women to dismantle barriers and advocate for gender-equal politics in their communities.
How to apply?
Applications for BAZA 2025 are open from 15 January to 15 February 2025, and we encourage talented liberal women at all stages of their political journey to apply. The program offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from remarkable role models, and become part of a supportive network dedicated to driving meaningful change in the Western Balkans.
Don’t miss your chance to join this impactful initiative and take a step toward shaping a better future!
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>> Download the call for applications as a pdf-file!
In a nutshell
Meet like-minded liberal companions and exchange to increase your impact.
- Meet like-minded liberal companions and exchange to increase your impact.
- Get inspired by intimate “fireside chats” with remarkable female role models.
- Three modules in three states (BiH, HR, SRB) to learn about each country’s peculiarities.
- Complete an innovative academy program tailored to your political and personal needs.
- Experience stunning venues chosen to allow participants to focus, reflect, and connect.
- Become part of a supportive network and find your peer for long-lasting bonds.
Language
Working languages are YOUR language (BHS) & English. Communicative knowledge of English is compulsory.
About the Foundation
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is the liberal political foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany. For more than thirty years, it has been promoting open and tolerant societies, civic engagement and the rule of law in the Western Balkans with the aim of strengthening democratic and pluralistic principles in the region and thus actively supporting the countries’ European integration with its liberal values of freedom, peace and tolerance.
Our mission is to create change by empowering women to pursue their political ambitions. We believe that gender equality can only be ensured through adequate political representation not only in parliaments and councils, but also within liberal parties themselves. For liberals, there is no doubt that society as a whole is only served if the female part of society can develop as freely politically as their male counterparts.
Recognizing that the social circumstances are far from ideal, we want to prepare women as best we can for their commitment to change. Even if we cannot immediately change the framework, we can empower those who will work to do so. We do this in the belief that there is a desire in the region for cross-border collaboration among strong women who support each other, offer advice and support, and want to reform their respective societies in the same way.
Meet our Facilitators
Joanna Burnos
Director of Balkan Women’s Academy BAZA. Founder of LEADERIS Institute. Team Europe Direct expert. Lecturer at the Vistula University of Finance and Business. Co-creator and co-host of “Departament Kobiet” podcast.
Ivana Fundurulić
Ivana is a mathematics and physics teacher from Zagreb. Her passion for teaching is complemented by a drive for continual learning and knowledge-sharing, actively seeking out new projects and workshops that foster growth and enlightenment. She is an alumna of ALDE's "Alliance of Her 2022" and holds several key roles within the party "Centar".
Jasmina Mršo
Jasmina is an expert in working with political foundations and political parties and a skilled capacity-building trainer and moderator who worked on many local and international projects. She is an editor for the PartyParty magazine and offers strategic support to the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP).
Vukosava Crnjanski
Vuka has worked as a trainer and practitioner since 2004, providing capacity-building in advocacy, public outreach, campaigning, strategic planning etc. Her work extends to political parties, non-governmental organizations, govern-ment officials, media outlets, and institutions on a local and international scale.