Strengthening democratic innovations and promoting human rights at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspiration to enhance citizen participation and human rights protection at all levels is supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the framework of the project “Strengthening democratic innovations and promoting human rights at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.
The project builds upon the results of the previous Congress interventions and responds to the needs voiced by relevant stakeholders across the country. It is 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 intends to propose concrete action for local authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina to renew democracy and reinforce human rights across their constituencies.
The project intervention aims to:
- Further promote deliberative democracy as an innovative form of citizen participation in local decision making and as a complement to representative democracy.
- Enhance the skills and capacities of local authorities and their associations for advocacy.
- Enhance the skills and capacities of local authorities and their associations for contribution to strategic goals and commitments for open government.
- Raise awareness on human rights protection at local level and support human rights-based policymaking at local level.
This project is funded through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.
Project outcomes
- Local authorities and their associations have enhanced capacities to implement and advocate for open and innovative democratic approaches.
- Local authorities and their associations have enhanced capacities to promote, respect, protect and fulfil human rights.
Methodology
Within this intervention, one component focuses on further promoting and supporting deliberative processes and an open, transparent, and accountable governance at the local level through developing the capacities of local authorities and associations.
This will be ensured through the establishment of the Pool of Trainers on deliberative democracy, composed of both representatives of local authorities and independent experts. These trainers will, in turn, transfer their skills and knowledge to the respective local authorities interested in incorporating deliberative processes into their decision-making, through capacity-development activities.
Moreover, financial support through grants will be awarded to the associations of local authorities, which will co-operate to strengthen their institutional capacities. This joint work will enable them to effectively advocate for building stronger, more open, participatory, inclusive, and accountable communities.
Open government also will be prioritised through different initiatives and expertise, supporting local authorities and their associations in integrating open government principles in their strategic documents, and achieving commitments at state level, in co-operation with other stakeholders and higher levels of governance.
The second component will focus on the promotion and protection of human rights at local level. The first step will be a baseline assessment on the human rights protection and fulfilment at local level, including an overview of the competencies and responsibilities of local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement human rights standards. Based on this study, capacity development activities will be designed to empower local authorities to implement human rights standards effectively, strengthening their awareness on human rights issues and their capacity to integrate a human rights-based approach in their decision-making.
Partners and Beneficiaries
Association of Municipalities and Cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Association of Municipalities and Cities in Republika Srpska
Local authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina
Relevant ministries and institutions
Project duration
1 July 2024 – 31 December 2025
Marité MORAS
Head of the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance
Secretariat of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Natalia MILITELLO
Senior Project Officer
Secretariat of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Damjan JUGOVIĆ
Senior Project Officer
Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo
Ivana IVANDIC
Project Assistant
Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo