The Balkan Museum Access Group (BMAG) is a permanent working group of 400 museums and museum staff from 13 Western Balkan countries that has been working to break down barriers in museums since 2011. Recognized as a Zero Project Awardee, the initiative exemplifies how museums can become more inclusive through exchange and education across national borders.
Four professionals from museums in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Croatia, and Serbia are now working together within the Balkan Museum Access Group (BMAG). The goal is to improve accessibility in their museums and create a more inclusive visitor experience for people with disabilities.
Supported by two international inclusion consultants and a comprehensive three-year training program, BMAG members meet regularly and share best practices. These insights are directly incorporated into new offerings: such as hands-on tours for blind people, videos in sign language, Braille guides, sensory tours, inclusive workshops, and tactile maps.
The following aspects make the project special:
- Knowledge transfer through peer learning: The museum staff train each other, advise other museums in the region and jointly develop inclusive concepts.
- Practical effect: Since 2015, 30 projects have been successfully implemented – many of them with the direct participation of people with disabilities.
- Sustainability through strategic support: Funded by the Headley Trust UK and the European Union, the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, BMAG has developed, implemented and participated in many different projects, such as: Interactive map of accessible museums and cultural heritage sites in the Balkacountries, the Erasmus project iNCLUSION, ToMiMUES and SHIFT – Horizon project.
- Structures for inclusion and cultural participation: Through various strategic programs and knowledge sharing activities such as Crafting Aaccess, Balkan Museums without Barriers, Toolkits for barrAnimal-free museums in various languages and publications such as Examples of Inclusive Musicone in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Inclusion in Museums: A Collection of Best Practiceices, or Barrier-free Balkan museums Inclusion is promoted.
This project impressively demonstrates how sustainable change in the museum sector can be achieved through collaboration, participation and empowerment.
More information: Balkan Museum Network and Balkan Museums Access Group