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.