Policy brief: Strengthening joint action of the government and civil sector in the EU Pre-Accession process of BiH
Bosnia and Herzegovina is at a crucial juncture in the European integration process, having received candidate status and the green light to open negotiations (2024). However, numerous challenges remain: low public trust in institutions, weak mechanisms for involving civil society (CSOs) in policymaking, a fragmented and insufficiently professionalized civil sector, and bureaucratic obstacles and limited access to processes.
Purpose and objective of the Policy Brief
It should be emphasized that a Policy Brief is a short, clear and informative document that explains a specific social or political problem, proposes concrete solutions or recommendations and targets decision-makers, public administration, civil society and/or the general public. Its implementation contributes to the adoption or change of policies, laws or procedures.
This Policy Brief (BP) document aims to encourage authorities and CSOs to establish a functional, inclusive and sustainable model of cooperation, based on partnership, transparency and professionalization, which is prerequisite for successful EU integration.
Key strategic recommendations for achieving the objective of this Policy Brief:
- Institutionalization of CSOs in EU processes – formal mechanisms of inclusion in negotiations and legislation.
- Coordination and communication – forming a new (or creating preconditions for a more efficient and systematically organized work of the existing joint coordination body and regular consultations.
- Mapping and professionalization – database of active CSOs and system of thematic self-delegation.
- Financial sustainability – establishing a fund for CSOs, grants and technical support.
- Inclusiveness and deregulation – revision of registration procedures, inclusion of diaspora and marginalized groups.
- Transparency – public nominations and criteria for selecting representatives.
- Monitoring and evaluation – a monitoring system and annual evaluation of the effects of cooperation.
In addition to key strategic recommendations, models of good practice examples from the region and beyond are also listed, which can be a good guiding idea for application in BiH, with adequate adaptation to the country’s context.
The development of CSOs for the efficient implementation of the objective – the path from chaos to an orderly system – the proposed model for the development of the CSO sector – includes six phases: mapping, digitalization, education, networking, monitoring and evaluation, and requires political will, the engagement of all stakeholders and stable support. A framework Action Plan 2025-2027 is provided, which contains specific measures, stakeholders, deadlines and indicators – from establishing funds, through education, to developing a legislative framework.
Analysis of the current situation and joint participation of the government and civil society sectors in BiH and the region in the EU integration process
The lag in the integration process is a consequence of numerous factors, among the most important of which are: the long-standing inefficiency of the authorities at all levels in fulfilling key economic, political and legal criteria. The lack of a structured dialogue between institutions and CSOs has certainly had an adverse impact on the entire process. Experiences from countries in the region, which are far ahead of BiH in the EU pre-accession process, show that an engaged, well-connected and constructive civil society is one of the key factors in successful progress towards EU membership.
Among the large number of CSOs in BiH (according to the latest data, there are more than 25,000 organizations), there are a number of highly professional organizations that have specialized in various areas of importance for the EU integration process. However, most CSOs operate in a poorly coordinated manner towards the European integration process, while their capacities are significantly limited.
Key recommendations arising from the research:
- Strengthen the culture of partnership and transparency of the decision-making process when fulfilling the conditions for EU accession;
- Define a model for structured dialogue through the Platform (in the next phase of the IREI project) and include civil society in all processes and phases related to BiH’s accession to the EU;
- Ensure greater involvement of local authorities and local CSOs in the process of BiH’s accession to the EU, while strengthening their mutual cooperation;
- Create a network of CSOs as a broader platform to support the improvement of the EU country’s pre-accession process;
- Build an institutional infrastructure for the development of civil society in the form of a foundation for the development of civil society in BiH, as the fruit of a joint initiative of CSOs, with the aim of creating conditions for sustainable development of civil society through cross-sectoral cooperation and ensuring adequate funding;
- Strengthen the capacities of CSOs, with a special focus on building expertise on negotiation chapters or topics, relying primarily on existing resource centres;
- Encourage regional cooperation and transfer of knowledge and experience between CSOs that have already gained significant experience in working on self-organization and strengthening civil society participation in the European integration process;
- Conduct thematic campaigns aimed at promoting the importance of European integration in an innovative way that is content adapted to the wider citizenry in BiH.
