Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspiration to enhance governance at all levels is supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the framework of the project “Building democratic participation in the City of Mostar”, as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018-2021. Following a decade of deprivation of Mostar citizens’ fundamental human right to elect and stand for local elections, the aim of the project is to create opportunities for citizens to engage in deliberative processes and participate in local decision making, with the ultimate goal of restoring citizen’s confidence and trust in public authorities. A tailored methodology of deliberative democracy through mini-publics will provide opportunities for dialogue among the citizens of Mostar, and with the local decision-makers. The project also seeks to develop the skills and knowledge of local stakeholders on democratic approaches.

The project is rooted in the work of the Reflection Group on Mostar, established in 2017 with the goal to propose a sustainable solution for restoring democracy in the City, and follows on the Recommendation 442 (2019) on local and regional democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case Baralija v. Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project builds upon the results of Congress co-operation activities carried out in Council of Europe member states since 2011 and is based on the needs and recommendations voiced by relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Building democratic participation in the City of Mostar

   

By having an impact on democratic participation and public trust, the project "Building democratic participation in the City of Mostar” contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender equality), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 16 (Peace, justice and strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnership for the goals) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Open Local Government | A tool for action

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Marité MORAS
Head of Unit - Co-operation Activities
Email: [email protected]

Natalija MILOVIC
Project Officer
Email: [email protected]