A strong civil society is a key component of any democratic system and the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina should recognize and treat them as such. The EU accession process promotes active participation of civil society organizations in government decision-making and the EU integration process itself. As a country in transition, Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced a significant number of social, economic and other issues in the post-war period, including the key environmental protection issues, the addressing of which poses a major challenge. The destruction of natural resources, the loss of biodiversity and climate change are seriously threatening the environmental conditions necessary for human existence and the foundations of our economic prosperity. All these problems occur due to excessive use of natural resources, which can be eliminated only if we follow the principles of sustainable development in planning the use of natural resources and establishing partnerships at the local level.
Overall objective of the project is to improve environmental management in the country through networking and capacity-building of CSOs in order to be able to participate effectively in creating policies and decision-making processes relating to the protection of environment, thus contributing to the key reforms according to further implantation of the environmental EU acquis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Specific objectives:
- Establishing the network of CSOs that can clearly understand and communicate the principles and procedures for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the strategic environmental impact assessment (SEA) and to advocate for their implementation;
- Initiating activities to improve and amend the regulatory framework governing environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the processes for issuing environmental permits;
- Strengthen the capacities of environmental CSOs to influence the development of environmental policies in the country while maintaining an active role in monitoring the implementation;
- Raising public awareness about active participation in decision-making processes.
Project activities:
The activities are divided into three components and include:
COMPONENT 1-Strenghtening of capacities
Set composed of three trainings:
- Training on SEA and EIA, lobbying and advocating
- Training on the Aarhus Convention principles
- Training on the investigative journalism in the field of environmental protection
COMPONENT 2 – Dialogue and networking
- Analysis of the legal and institutional framework for EIA and SEA
- Meetings aimed at increasing cooperation with public institutions on matters related to EIA and SEA
- National Forum
- Preparation of road map to improve the regulatory framework for EIA and SEA
COMPONENT 3 – PROMOTION AND AWARENESS RAISING
- Kick-off/Introductory meeting
- Public awareness activities
Project results:
- A sustainable network of civil society organizations has been established that can clearly understand and communicate the principles and procedures of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the environmental impact (SEA), as well as to advocate for its implementation.
- Environmental CSOs have increased their capacity to monitor the SEA/EIA processes and horizontal legislation is in line with the EU acquis and BiH legislation.
- The regulatory framework governing environmental impact assessment and the environmental impact (SEA) has been improved through the contribution of CSOs.
- Environmental CSOs have been actively included in the legislative and reform matters to support the EU accession process (especially in relation to Chapter 27)
- Environmental CSOs participating in the program have been involved in the promotion of regional and EU values and initiatives in areas related to the environment and climate change.
Project duration: 12 months (June 2020 – June 2021)
Overall project value: 49,500.00 BAM
Coordinator: REC – Resource Environmental Center
Project partners:
Association for the Protection and Improvement of Environment, Nature and Health, EKOTIM
Association Center for Ecology, Education and Sustainable Development, CEKOOR
Association for the Protection of Nature, Rivers and the Environment, EKOPRO
Source of funding / Donor: Center for Civil Society Promotion – CPCD through “Think of Nature!” project financed by Sweden
