Bosnia and Herzegovina has benefited from co-operation initiatives of the Council of Europe since 2003. The Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo ensures the necessary co-ordination between headquarters and local stakeholders, as well as with international partners present in the field.

The Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029 was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 7 November 2025 and officially launched in Sarajevo on 28 April 2026 by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Davor Bunoza, Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prepared in close consultation with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Action Plan will continue assisting the country in fulfilling its obligations as a Council of Europe member State by bringing legislation, institutions, and practice further into line with Council of Europe standards in the areas of human rights, rule of law and democracy. Following the European Council’s decision of 21-22 March 2024 to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Action Plan also supports the country on its path towards EU integration.

The Action Plan 2026-2029 focuses on securing human rights and fundamental freedoms, advancing social justice, good health and sustainable environment, acting for equality, diversity and respect and building trust in public institutions. Dedicated support will also contribute to upholding safety, security and integrity of society and persons and anchoring democratic values in European societies.

Projects within the Action Plan are to be funded from multiple sources. Funding is to be provided from the Ordinary Budget of the Council of Europe, voluntary contributions from donor countries and from the European Union/Council of Europe joint programmes, such as the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The estimated budget for the four-year strategic co-operation document is €29 million.

The co-operation with Bosnia and Herzegovina is further supported through the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, which assists the authorities in meeting their reform agendas while complying with European standards. The third phase of the programme, within which six actions are implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is currently under way. These actions contribute to strengthening the efficiency of justice, enhancing the protection of the human rights of persons deprived of liberty (including by working with the National Preventive Mechanism), addressing money laundering and terrorist financing, promoting quality education, inclusiveness and tolerance, and protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also benefits from the regional EU/Council of Europe Joint Programmes CyberSEE, Roma integration III and “Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation in the Western Balkans (LORAI)”. LORAI empowers local authorities to actively monitor the implementation of Reform Agendas under the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility, advocate for reforms, and propose policy and investment priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

For updated information on ongoing co-operation, please consult directly the website of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.

The key outcomes of the Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting significant advancements in the country in the fields of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, are summarised below:

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The Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029 contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the country in its efforts to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3 (targets 4, 5 and 8) SDG 4 (targets 5 and 7), SDG 5 (targets 1, 2, a, c and 5), SDG 8 (targets 7 and 8), SDG 10 (targets 2, 3 and 7), SDG 11 (targets 3 and 7) and SDG 16 (targets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, a and b). 

More information: Overview of the Council of Europe Contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda.