The “Freelance Association UFUBIH” was established to educate freelancers on their financial, legal, and social security benefits.

Elena Babić-Đaković, co-founder and president of the UFUBIH Association, explains that they formed the group in September 2018 “to stand for freelancers’ rights and solve not just the problem of the government’s unfair treatment of collecting retroactive taxes and the ambiguous legal framework but also improve our status and solve other life and business challenges we are facing as a community. “

UFUBIH has moved quickly to make several changes connected to the Association’s statutes. Their events raise awareness about the benefits of freelancing and advocate for changes to the legislation that would strengthen freelancers’ employment rights and improve their quality of life.

UFUBIH fills an unmet need by assisting freelancers with tax preparation, health insurance, and retirement planning. The Association aims to increase awareness of freelancing as a viable career path in Bosnia and Herzegovina, foster growth among freelancers as individuals, and strengthen their position as independent contractors in the legal system.

UFUBIH brings together a small but significant group of independent workers who are committed to making a difference and know that this can only be done via immediate action and stepping beyond people’s comfort zones. The funding for UFUBIH comes from its members, donors, and volunteers.

Engaging with governments and local authorities to modify the local labour market, tax system, and health and pension insurance to match the demands of freelancers is a primary concern for the freelance community. All UFUBIH’s general assembly delegates at UFUBIH’s general assembly agreed that the organisation could and should do better.

UFUBIH participated in the EU TACSO 3 Strategic Mentoring Programme, a tailored support programme aiming to strengthen civil society networks’ capacities. It benefited from a series of workshops facilitated by experts familiar with UFUBIH’s challenges and environment. The workshops assisted UFUBIH to build skills and knowledge in lobbying and political procedures, as well as providing strategic guidance and facilitating its planning.

If you want to learn more about UFUBIH, check out: https://ufubih.org/.