Grant agreements were signed today at Europe House in Sarajevo with 12 civil society organizations for the implementation of local environmental initiatives under the FUTURE project, implemented by the Resource Environmental Center with the financial support of Sweden.
The grants are intended to support local initiatives and concrete activities aimed at addressing environmental challenges in communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total value of the awarded grants amounts to BAM 354,000.
The selected initiatives include activities focused on nature and biodiversity conservation, improved waste management, climate change adaptation, responsible use of natural resources, environmental education, stronger citizen participation in decision-making processes, and the promotion of sustainable solutions that can bring visible benefits to citizens.Particular importance is attached to activities that will be implemented in protected areas, where cooperation among civil society organizations, local communities, institutions, and protected area managers is essential for the long-term conservation of natural values.
At the grant-signing ceremony, the media were addressed by Lejla Šuman, Director of the Resource Environmental Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Brigita Jansson, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They emphasized the importance of supporting local organizations that understand the needs of their communities and are able to offer practical solutions to the environmental challenges citizens face in their daily lives.
💬 “Local civil society organizations understand both the problems faced by their communities and the opportunities for addressing them. Through these grants, we are supporting concrete activities that can deliver visible results for citizens, while also strengthening cooperation among organizations, local communities, institutions, and protected area managers. Our goal is for the supported initiatives not to end when the projects are completed, but to become a foundation for long-term environmental stewardship,” said Lejla Šuman, Director of the Resource Environmental Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
💬 “Sweden has a long-standing partnership with civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We believe that strong and professional civil society organizations play a key role in improving environmental governance, engaging citizens, and supporting the European integration process. Through these grants, we aim to support concrete local action, while also encouraging stronger cooperation, learning, and connections among civil society organizations, local communities, protected areas, institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. We believe that lasting environmental solutions can only be achieved through the active participation of the people who live and work in these communities and who feel responsible for protecting nature. Sweden is therefore proud to support their efforts and to be a partner in this process” said Brigita Jansson, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The supported organizations have demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental protection, a sound understanding of local circumstances, and a readiness to act where environmental challenges are most pressing. Their projects are expected to contribute to cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities, as well as to greater citizen involvement in the protection of natural resources.
The FUTURE project aims to improve environmental governance and strengthen the role of environmental civil society organizations and their networks in policymaking, decision-making, and the promotion of innovative and sustainable solutions. By supporting civil society organizations, Sweden confirms its long-term commitment to improving environmental protection, strengthening citizen participation, and supporting the sustainable development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sarajevo, July 21st 2026
