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.

The project is implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025, and in line with the principles enshrined in the European Charter for Local Self-Government (ETS No. 122) and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority (CETS No.207).

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.