Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
The United for Property Justice is one of five regional informal groups whose project “Property Rights Beyond Tradition: Her Land – Her Voice” has received financial support through the “Active Achievement Fund”, a sub-granting activity of the “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project funded by the European Union. This group is composed of five young people from Serbia), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro.
The “Active Achievement Fund” aims to empower youth in the Western Balkans to participate in a structured dialogue on public policies relevant to youth, to advocate for the adoption of European values and strengthening of democratic and responsible institutions, and to promote regional cooperation and political, economic and social benefits of the EU integration for the Western Balkans societies. Support is provided through the direct payments by RYDE implementing partner organizations – Regional Academy for Democratic Development from Novi Sad, Serbia, which serve as intermediary organizations for their project.
Project background: In all Western Balkan countries, a significant number of women, especially young women, voluntarily renounce their property rights in favor of male heirs or family members. Institutions such as notaries and judges have a legal and ethical obligation to explain to heirs, including women, what their rights are, the meaning of any statements they provide, and the consequences of their decisions. If such explanations are not provided, women have the right to seek clarification and advice by contacting a lawyer or a civil society organization, especially women’s organizations.
However, the majority of women in the Western Balkans lack sufficient information about these options and their rights regarding inheritance, property management, and the mechanisms for their protection. The key challenges in this context include patriarchal cultural patterns and norms, as well as widespread gender stereotypes and prejudices that remain dominant. The main objective of the project is to contribute to reducing the gender gap in property ownership and inheritance across the Western Balkans (especially Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo) by increasing awareness, knowledge, and capacity among women, especially young women, regarding their inheritance rights and the mechanisms for their protection. The project seeks to challenge and transform deeply rooted patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes that contribute to the economic marginalization of women, particularly in rural areas.
Research Report on the Experiences, Perceptions, and Awareness of Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo Regarding Their Inheritance and Property Rights
The informal group conducted research through focus groups and an online questionnaire to collect data on the perceptions and experiences of women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo* regarding their inheritance and property rights, their motivations for renouncing inheritance in favor of male family members, and their knowledge of inheritance procedures and the mechanisms available to protect these rights. The target group consisted of young women from the four countries included in the project, particularly those with one or more brothers. A total of 75 women participated in the study, mostly young.
The research results indicate a general awareness among participants: nearly all respondents know that the law guarantees them equal inheritance rights as men. However, when it comes to inheritance procedures, specific options, legal consequences of decisions, and mechanisms for protecting inheritance and property rights (the role of notaries, the possibility of contesting a renunciation under pressure, social assistance rights, free legal aid, etc.), many respondents show uncertainty or lack of knowledge. Only 35.3% of participants believe they have sufficient knowledge about inheritance rights. Two-thirds are unaware that, if they renounce their inheritance, they may lose the right to request social assistance for the period that the inheritance would have covered.
Renouncing inheritance in favor of male family members is still common. Over a quarter of women surveyed had already done so for a brother, father, or uncle, while 45% were unsure about future decisions. Motivations include personal choice, disinterest in inheritance, and traditional or cultural expectations—especially in rural areas and among women with lower education or unstable economic status.
Education and economic stability affect knowledge and attitudes but do not guarantee awareness. While higher education often leads to better understanding, some women with college degrees are less informed about certain legal aspects than those with secondary education. Financially stable women tend to be more aware of their rights.
Surprisingly, rural women often report higher awareness than urban women, particularly regarding the role of notaries, legal consequences of renunciation, and the right to free legal aid. Women without children or partners are less likely to have renounced inheritance and often show more uncertainty. In contrast, married women, mothers, and women with brothers combine higher knowledge with a greater willingness to renounce inheritance for family reasons.
The main research findings have been transformed into infographics, which will be shared via social media and other channels to raise awareness about women’s inheritance rights in the region.
As part of a mini online campaign carried out within this project, a video has been released to raise awareness – especially among young women in the Western Balkans – about their inheritance rights and to promote positive narratives around women’s ownership.
Inspirational messages from the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia, as well as from experts and activists across the region, remind women:
? That the law is on their side.
⚖️ That they have the right to decide for themselves about the property that belongs to them.
? That they can seek help and support if they are under pressure to renounce their inheritance.
CDF / RYDE
