Improving local governance in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As part of his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April, SALAR International Managing Director, Ryan Knox, attended a conference on „Guaranteeing local autonomy in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina through compliance with the standards of the European Charter of Local Self-Government“ in Sarajevo.
The conference was organised by the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe Mission. The conference was organised to present and promote a report assessing the compliance of the legal framework in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the standards of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, and was attended by the President of the Federation, Ms. Lidija Bradara, President and Executive Director of the Association of Cities and Municipalities, Head of Cooperation of the Swiss Embassy, members of parliament, cantonal ministers of justice, mayors, etc.
The path to the EU accession significantly shapes the responsibilities and capabilities of local authorities
Ryan emphasised through a speech that the Swedish experience of local governance and autonomy stand as cornerstones of democracy in Sweden, empowering communities to govern themselves, make decisions, and shape their destinies.
In the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aligning with the European Charter on local self-governance is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental step towards fostering transparent, accountable, and participatory governance at the grassroots level, and to strengthen democracy overall. He drew attention to the profound impact of EU accession on local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the light of the opening of the EU accession negotiation with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The path to the EU accession significantly shapes the responsibilities and capabilities of local authorities, and the significance of early preparation cannot be overestimated. Success thus hinges on two fundamental factors: robust EU acquis harmonisation at higher levels of government, and equally robust local-level preparations, starting already now. This necessitates collaboration and support mechanisms, ensuring adequate resources and capacities at all levels.
Ryan concluded with emphasizing that our collective efforts must prioritize empowering local governments, enhancing their capacity, and fostering inclusive, transparent governance. And achieving this through multi-level dialogue. The journey towards EU accession is not just about compliance; it's about strengthening local authorities' ability to serve their citizens effectively.
Ryan Knox, Managing Director at SALAR International held a speech on the conferece "Guaranteeing local autonomy in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina through compliance with the standards of the European Charter of Local Self-Government“ in Sarajevo.
The project “Strengthening the Associations of Municipalities and Cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”
SALAR International is implementing a project “Strengthening the Associations of Municipalities and Cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which is funded by the Swedish and Swiss Embassies. The current phase of the project is focused on the role of local governments in the EU accession process, gender equality, and fiscal autonomy at the local level.