While many Europeans could take peace, economic prosperity, a high quality of life and a sound social security system for granted, an ugly war raged in former Yugoslavia in the 1990's. Towns were eradicated, homes were destroyed, livelihoods were lost, thousands were killed, families were torn apart and hundreds of thousands became refugees.

Upon returning after the war, with nothing left but a strong will to live, people found new hope in the support offered by the EFSE and its easily accessible local lending structures. A small sum of money for a new start: with a couple of hundred Euros provided by the Fund's partner lending institutions, people were able to regain a basis of existence and a future source of income.

These are the stories about new-found hope and journeys towards an optimistic future.