Summery of the project implemented by IREI
This project aims to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) contribution and participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process. Through an analysis of the current state and the development of recommendations for more effective participation, the project will rely on the exchange of experiences and best practices from Western Balkan countries. Project activities focus on increasing cooperation between CSOs and government institutions at all levels and enhancing the capacity of CSOs for active engagement in EU integration.
Project goal(s):
The project’s general objective is to strengthen the contribution and participatory role of civil society in the EU integration process in BiH. This will be achieved by analyzing the current state of civil society engagement, creating recommendations for more effective participation based on the exchange of experiences and best practices of CSOs from the region, and enhanced cooperation with government representatives and other relevant institutions at all levels.
Specific Objectives are:
- Develop models for civil society participation during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU candidate status based on the experiences and best practices of Western Balkan countries (Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia).
- Strengthen cooperation between CSOs in BiH and existing institutional structures that support civil society in the EU integration process, as well as other relevant government institutions at all levels.
- Enhance the capacity of CSOs for an active and relevant role in the EU integration process during the candidate status through capacity building and awareness-raising based on innovative models of civil society participation in EU accession.
Beneficiaries
- Civil society organizations from BiH that will be involved in the implementation of project activities;
- Advisory Body of the Council of Ministers of BiH for Cooperation with NGOs and the EU Integration Monitoring Initiative;
- Government institutions in BiH at different administrative levels: Council of Ministers, DEI, Government of FBiH, Government of RS, Government of Brčko District of BiH, government agencies and local governments in selected municipalities;
- Civil society organizations from the Western Balkan countries (Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia).
Main activities
- Preparatory activities for analyzing the state of cooperation between CSOs and relevant institutional actors involved in decision-making processes in BiH;
- Mapping CSOs in BiH and conducting field visits to CSOs in five cities: Sarajevo Mostar, Tuzla, Banja Luka and Bijeljina;
- Analysis of the civil society landscape identifying the structure and role of CSOs in BiH’s EU integration process existing capacities, potential, and challenges;
- Mapping CSOs in Western Balkan countries – Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia;
- Online meetings with representatives of CSOs from Western Balkan countries;
- Drafting a Report and Policy Brief with recommendations for improving civil society participation in EU accession processes during BiH’s candidate status;
- Meetings with CSOs and institutions in BiH to present the first draft of the Report and Policy Brief;
- Finalization of the Report and Policy Brief Models and Recommendations for Civil Society Participation in EU Integration in BiH;
- Consultations with the Advisory Body of the Council of Ministers for CSOs and other key institutional actors in BiH;
- Panel discussion with CSOs from five cities in BiH on the revised draft of the Report and Policy Brief;
- Collecting feedback on the revised first version of the Report and Policy Brief from CSOs in Western Balkan countries;
- Finalizing the document and submitting it for approval to the Advisory Body of the Council of Ministers for CSO cooperation;
- Mapping potential new relevant stakeholders in BiH to expand the database for improving the EU integration process
- Promotion and presentation of project results through social media panel discussions and web articles on the importance of CSO participation in EU accession;
- The final round of meetings to promote project outcomes, provide support, inform and conduct thematic education for CSOs in BiH, as well as raise public awareness.
Related news:
“Stronger Civil Society in the region – Faster development and EU Accession” presented at the first event of the National Participation Day in BiH (available in the Bosnian language)
Publications: