Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje "NAHLA"

What Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje "NAHLA" does

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje "NAHLA" (CEI Nahla) is a non-profit civil society organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with additional branches in Bihać and Tuzla. The organization delivers a holistic women's empowerment program spanning accredited and non-formal adult education (graphic design, accounting, UI/UX design, tailoring, catering, IT), youth leadership through the Tignum youth club, entrepreneurship support via the Nahla Business Community, psychological and speech therapy counseling, sports/recreation, and a scholarship program. Since founding, it has educated over 100,000 women and currently serves more than 1,000 women annually in free programs, drawing on a partnership network of 80+ organizations and a 25-person staff.

The underlying technology stack is modest and operational rather than differentiated: a WordPress-based digital education platform (znanje.nahla.ba) launched in 2024, an e-commerce store (nahla.ba/trgovina) processed via Monri WebPay (PCI DSS Level 1 certified), and PANTHEON ERP for back-office accounting. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary models, or advanced learning technologies are deployed. Recent product launches include the Bee Inspired entrepreneurship platform (2024) and a newly accredited Specialized Catering Training program (January 2025).

The business model is hybrid non-profit: primary revenue is project-based grant funding from international donors (DVV International, Swiss Embassy, EU programs including ILO LEP II and FIGAP II, USAID), supplemented by individual membership fees, course/training fees for accredited vocational programs, e-commerce product sales, and charitable donations processed online. Programs are largely free for beneficiaries, with revenue scaling through donor project cycles rather than commercial pricing. The go-to-market approach is community-led, leveraging alumni referrals, university and school partnerships, public events (film screenings, conferences, open days), and a multi-channel digital presence (website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, newsletter) to reach women across BiH and the diaspora.

Name

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje "NAHLA"

Legal name

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje Nahla

Website

https://nahla.ba

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje "NAHLA" is a Bosnia and Herzegovina non-profit founded in 2000 that delivers women's empowerment through accredited adult education, youth leadership (Tignum), entrepreneurship support, counseling, and sports programs across three offices (Sarajevo, Bihać, Tuzla), serving 1,000+ women annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAANAC

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Certification Programs

Keywords

• Adult education programs
• Women's empowerment services
• Vocational training courses
• Youth leadership development
• Entrepreneurship support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarajevo

HQ country

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project-based donor funding: Nahla's primary revenue source is project grants and donations from international donors and foundations (e.g., Swiss Embassy, DVV International, European Union, USAID, FIGAP II program). Projects fund specific educational programs, youth activities, and community initiatives.
2. Membership fees: Nahla generates revenue through annual membership fees from individuals who join as members of the organization, providing access to programs, resources, and community benefits.
3. Course and training fees: Revenue from accredited and non-accredited educational programs, including courses in graphic design, accounting, IT (UI/UX design, robotics), tailoring, catering, and other vocational skills. Some programs are free for beneficiaries (funded by donors), while others generate revenue.
4. E-commerce and product sales: Online store (nahla.ba/trgovina) selling educational products, certifications, and related goods with online payment via Monri (MasterCard, Visa, Maestro).
5. Charitable donations: Nahla accepts charitable contributions through its digital platform (znanje.nahla.ba) via Monri payment gateway, supporting the broader mission of making knowledge accessible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje Nahla (CEI Nahla) is a non-profit civil society organization delivering accredited and non-formal adult education programs, youth leadership development, women's entrepreneurship support, psychological and speech therapy counseling, sports/recreation services, and a scholarship program. Offerings span vocational training (graphic design, accounting, UI/UX design, tailoring, catering), the Tignum youth club, the Nahla Business Community, and the Friend Indeed student support program, delivered through three physical offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, Bihać, Tuzla) and an online platform.

Product overview

Centar za edukaciju i istraživanje Nahla is a Center for Education and Research offering a diverse portfolio of programs focused on women's empowerment through education, youth development, business support, and community engagement. The core offerings span non-formal and accredited adult education programs (including graphic design, accounting, UI/UX design, tailoring, and catering), the Tignum youth leadership club, the Nahla Business Community for entrepreneurship support, psychological and speech therapy counseling, a fitness center, a library, scholarship programs, and the Friend Indeed student support program. Nahla operates across three locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, Bihać, and Tuzla) and serves as a hub for lifelong learning, social research, consulting, and activism. A new digital education platform was launched in 2024, expanding access to educational content online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tignum (Klub mladih Tignum) - Youth Leadership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000+ women empowered through education
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institute for Youth Development KULTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Nahla collaborated with the Institute for Youth Development KULT within the PRAGG initiative, hosting a study visit of local actors from smaller communities. Through dialogue, good practice examples, and joint learning, the organizations built bridges of support for positive community change.
• Ustanova za obrazovanje odraslih 'Dante' (Rijeka, Croatia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2022Dante, an adult education institution from Rijeka with 30 years of experience, visited Nahla in December 2022 to exchange experiences in adult education. Both organizations share similar target groups, programs, and methods, and discussed future collaboration planned for 2023.
• Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo (Department of Pedagogy)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 December 2022Third-year pedagogy students from the Faculty of Philosophy complete their andragogy practicum at Nahla, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical insight into adult education. Nahla is recognized as a model for applying andragogical principles.
• Udruženje 'Žene Srebrenice'minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Association of women from Srebrenica, sharing their experiences during panel discussions on women's entrepreneurship and resilience, inspired by the 'Košnica' film.
• Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and HerzegovinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022The Embassy of Switzerland in BiH supported Nahla's 'Košnica' (Hive) film screening tour across five BH cities (Bihać, Travnik, Goražde, Brčko, Tuzla) in November–December 2022. The screenings were accompanied by panel discussions on gender equality and women's entrepreneurship, with Swiss Embassy representatives participating as panelists.
• Udruženje GENDER (Brčko)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Women's rights organization from Brčko, participated in panel discussions during the 'Košnica' film screenings, sharing insights on gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Udruženje žena 'Jadar' (Konjević Polje)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Women's association of returnees from Konjević Polje engaged in agricultural production, sharing their inspiring entrepreneurship story at the 'Košnica' film panel in Tuzla.
• Udruženje SEKA (Goražde)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Women's association from Goražde, participating in panel discussions on women's position in local communities, with a focus on addressing violence against women.
• International Labor Organization (ILO) – Local Employment Partnership (LEP II)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022In March 2022, CER Nahla joined the ILO's selected partner network under the 'Supporting European Local Partnerships for Employment – Phase II' (LEP II) project, funded by the European Union. Nahla implements IT education programs for unemployed women from Sarajevo Canton and sewing/tailoring training, along with career counseling and employment support. Target: 120 unemployed beneficiaries (at least 60 women, 10 people with disabilities) from April 2022 to November 2023.
• Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo (LPZ Novi Grad Sarajevo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Part of the ILO Local Employment Partnership (LEP II), the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo leads the Local Employment Council (LPZ) and collaborates with Nahla on implementing employment activation programs, developing gender-sensitive action plans, and supporting entrepreneurship.
• Employment Service of Canton SarajevocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Government employment agency partnering in the ILO LEP II project to integrate unemployed persons into the labor market through Nahla's vocational training programs.
• Dizart d.o.o. – Center for Adult EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in the ILO LEP II Local Employment Partnership, contributing to the network of adult education providers supporting unemployed persons in Sarajevo Canton.
• TMP d.o.o. Sarajevo (employment for blind and partially visually impaired persons)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in the ILO LEP II Local Employment Partnership, bringing expertise in employment support for persons with disabilities.
• Association of CEFE Trainers in Bosnia and HerzegovinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in the ILO LEP II Local Employment Partnership, contributing to entrepreneurship training and support programs.
• Herbal Spa d.o.o. SarajevominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Partner in the ILO LEP II Local Employment Partnership, contributing to the local employment ecosystem in Sarajevo.
• SARA Association (Srebrenica)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner with DVV International in building a network of women's rights ambassadors for economic empowerment and social equality.
• Naučno društvo 'Vladimir Prelog' (Scientific Society 'Vladimir Prelog')minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2021Scientific society partnering with Nahla's Tignum youth club to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, organizing joint events like 'Kad poraSTEM bit ću naučnica' (When I grow up I'll be a scientist) and STEM Week.
• Center for Youth Education (CEM) TravnikminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2021CEM Travnik, with 20 years of experience in youth empowerment, partners with Nahla on the regional 'From Zero to Hero' project, providing career counseling and 02Hero training for unemployed youth.
• DVV International – Office for Bosnia and HerzegovinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2021DVV International is Nahla's long-term strategic partner in adult education. Nahla actively participates in DVV International's conferences and initiatives, contributing to the development of adult education policies in BiH. Nahla's executive director Elvira Leka has been a consistent advocate for adult education at DVV International forums. The partnership spans over 21 years of DVV International's presence in BiH.
• Inicijativa PRVI (PRVI Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Nahla founded the 'PRVI' Initiative (Against Racial and Religious Intolerance) in 2017 in Sarajevo. The initiative comprises human rights activists focused on freedom of religion and belief, working on systemic approaches to discrimination based on religion or belief.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Medica Zenica: Bosnia-based women's rights and psychosocial support NGO that, like Nahla, serves women survivors of violence and discrimination through counseling, education, and empowerment programs — a directly comparable women's-empowerment non-profit in BiH.
• Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina: Local NGO network delivering social services, education, and humanitarian assistance across BiH including women's programs and vocational training; comparable in scale, multi-program breadth, donor-funded model, and multi-office footprint.
• Fondacija CURE: Sarajevo-based women's foundation focused on gender equality, women's rights advocacy, and empowerment programming — comparable mission-driven non-profit operating in BiH with similar grassroots activism and donor-funded model.
• DVV International: Germany-headquartered adult education NGO with a long-standing Bosnia office; Nahla's 21+ year strategic partner and the most operationally comparable organization, focused on adult learning, andragogy, and lifelong learning in transition economies.
• CARE International Balkans: International NGO with active programs in Bosnia targeting women's economic empowerment, youth employability, and gender-based violence — overlapping closely with Nahla's MENTI entrepreneurship, Tignum youth, and ILO-funded vocational training portfolios.
• World Learning: US-headquartered NGO operating exchange, leadership, and workforce development programs globally including in the Balkans; closely comparable to Nahla's adult education, youth leadership (Tignum), and exchange/training methodology.
• IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina: International organization running youth employability, migration-related women's empowerment, and skills-training programs in BiH — directly comparable to Nahla's ILO LEP II partnership, IT vocational training, and employment activation work.

Broad incumbents

• UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UN entity mandated for gender equality and women's empowerment; a broader institutional actor working in the same outcome space (women's economic empowerment, leadership, ending violence against women) that often funds or partners with organizations like Nahla.
• Save the Children Balkans: Large international NGO running youth education, child protection, and women's economic empowerment programs across the Balkans including BiH; broader portfolio than Nahla but with overlapping beneficiary groups and donor-funded vocational training.

Regional players

• Ustanova za obrazovanje odraslih Dante: Croatian adult education institution based in Rijeka that visited Nahla in 2022 to exchange adult-education practices; a near-twin non-profit adult education center serving similar target groups in a neighboring country.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CEINahlaSarajevo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-education-and-research-nahla-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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