Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspiration to enhance citizen participation and governance at all levels is supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the framework of two projects.
The project “Innovating democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025, responds to the needs voiced by relevant stakeholders and local authorities across the country, and it aims at boosting democratic innovation through deliberative processes and on enhancing the quality of local governance implemented in partnership with associations of local authorities in the country. It builds upon the results of the previous Congress intervention through the project “Building democratic participation in the City of Mostar”, within which the first Citizens’ Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina was organised.
Focused on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, the project "Promoting deliberative democracy and innovative approaches to citizen participation in South-East Europe" (2024 - 2025) seeks to:
Advance deliberative democracy as an innovative approach to citizen participation in local decision-making, complementing representative democracy;
Develop the skills and capacities of local authorities and their associations in organising effective deliberative processes.
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
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Project “Innovating democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”
Project Summary
The project “Innovating democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina” aims to enhance the quality of local democracy and create opportunities for citizens to engage in innovative participatory processes in Mostar and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It promotes new democratic approaches, open government, public ethics, transparent and inclusive local policy making in the country.
Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy enhanced local democracy and more transparent local public institutions
Local authorities embed inclusive and innovative deliberative approaches to enhance decision-making
Local elected representatives and public officials strengthen their capacities to engage in collaborative governance and co-creation with citizens and civil society organisations.
Methodology
This project builds on the fruitful co-operation with the City of Mostar and the positive results of the first deliberative process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the form of a citizens’ assembly. Support will be provided for the implementation of the Action Plan adopted in response to the citizens’ recommendations, and to conduct a second citizens’ assembly. The best practices of deliberative democracy will be further promoted. Following a call for interest, another local authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina will benefit from project support to set up a tailored deliberative process.
Capacity development activities will be proposed to local authorities across the country with a view to enhancing the quality of local democracy and fostering collaborative governance and co-creation with citizens and civil society. These activities will be designed in close co-operation with the Associations of Municipalities and Cities from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and from Republika Srpska.
The Congress will also provide local and international expertise and support in the field of good governance and democracy, including academic support through the Group of Independent Experts to the Charter, for the development of practices and policies.
A peer-to-peer approach, including with the members of the Congress, will be used for exchanges and sharing of knowledge, know-how and practices across Europe. This support will be provided directly to local authorities and in close co-operation with the associations of local authorities.
Active participation of stakeholders at local level will be ensured, ranging from the general public to interest groups, NGOs, academia and local authorities.
Expected results
Mostar City Authorities implement the action plan approved by the City Council as a follow-up to the citizens’ recommendations stemming from the first deliberative process held in 2021
A deliberative process is commissioned and organised under the leadership of the Mayor and City Council of Mostar
The mayor, local councillors, and public officials from a selected local authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina develop further their capacities to implement an inclusive deliberative process
A deliberative process is designed in one more local authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina and citizens formulate proposals to local decision-makers
The two associations of municipalities and cities promote transparent, accountable, and participatory local governance through peer exchanges and advocacy
Local authorities enhance their capacities on innovative practices for inclusive, transparent and participatory local governance.
Partners and beneficiaries
Citizens of Mostar and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The City of Mostar and authorities of the selected towns or cities in BiH
Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska
Civil society and media.
Project "Strenghtening democratic innovations and promoting human rights at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (2022-2024)
The Project "Strenghtening democratic innovations and promoting human rights at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (2022-2024) built upon the results of the previous Congress interventions and responds to the needs voiced by relevant stakeholders across the country. It was in line with the political mandate of the Congress and its priorities, and the decisions of the Council of Europe leaders at the Reykjavik Summit. The project intended to propose concrete action for local authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina to renew democracy and reinforce human rights across their constituencies.
Project "Building democratic participation in the City of Mostar" (February 2020 – December 2021)
Partners and beneficiaries: Mostar City Authorities, representatives of local political parties, relevant public authorities at different levels, local civil society, academic community, media and citizens of Mostar.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspiration to enhance citizen participation and governance at all levels is supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the framework of two projects.
