ABSTRACT
Following a long period of socio-political and economic transition away from state socialism, the number of non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereafter BiH, reflecting the abbreviation in Bosnian language) and Bulgaria has risen significantly. In the current climate of international pressures and economic changes, NGOs in both countries are seeking to position themselves in what is an unsettled welfare climate. These NGOs have different functions ranging from advocacy, research and policy making to direct provision of social services. This chapter explores the role of various types of NGO in advancing the inclusion of disabled children based on doctoral research supported by UNICEF and 15 months of fieldwork conducted in BiH and Bulgaria (Bećirević 2010).
