Local Governance Program in BiH

Bearing in mind the importance of the decentralization process for building of democratic society the Open Society Fund BiH (OSF BH) through its Local Governance Program provided full support to decentralization in B-H, by enhancing the role of domestic leading actors and advancing the existing policies and solution-design practices at local level. Such an approach enabled the achievement of the following results:

Creation of the Local Self-government Development Strategy in B-H

To draw attention to the complex issues of decentralization, OSF BH launched an initiative and then supported the leading B-H municipalities, local NGOs, as well as the most interested local experts, in creating a Partner Group for development of local administration strategy in B-H. OSF BiH key partner during the implementation of this initiative was EDA Banjaluka.

Modern methods (five-stage planning process, participative planning, focus on problems and priorities etc.) were used in the drafting the strategy. Ultimately, the Local Self-government Development Strategy in B-H was produced, based on critical, comprehensive and detailed analysis of the situation.

New local self-government, with a mission to meet the needs of citizens and continuously improve the quality of life in the local community, is at the focus of the development vision looking at 2020. New local self-government should enable citizens to actively participate in management of local affairs on the principles of European Local Self-Government Charter. Such a government forms partnerships with the private and non-government sector and cooperates productively with other governmental levels and local units in the country and the region.  The strategy focuses on seven strategic goals:

Introduction of uniform European standards and self-evaluation methodology of municipal administrations in B-H - CAF

The European local administration evaluation methodology, originally developed by the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA) was introduced through this project. The essence of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) model which is based on the quality management concept of the European Foundation for Quality Management, focusing the principle of excellence, is in creation of operational prerequisites (methodology and tools) for self-assessment, comparison with others (better, more advanced) and continuous advancement of staff competencies and functions. This model is generally applicable to all public institutions and organizations at all governmental levels. In accordance with EIPA recommendations, this tool was adapted and tested on 27 B-H municipalities, in order to ensure its quick and easy application. Through the advocacy campaign for the methodology and tools, uniform standards of good local governance were created, as well as the recommendations for other government levels, in terms of their attitude to leadership, strategy and planning, human resources management, management of processes and changes, partnerships and resources, and focus on users, employees, community and key parameters of functioning. The project was implemented by EDA Banjaluka.

Strengthening sustainable civic participation in decision-making processes at local level in B-H

Starting from the fact that the degree and quality of citizens' participation in decision-making processes at local level is essential to decentralization and strengthening of democratic society, OSF BH decided to give particular support to the project aimed at examining in detail and analyzing the obstacles to civic participation, as well as proposing measures to overcome those obstacles. This project resulted in detailed analysis of the existing framework (legal and practical) of civic participation, comparative analysis with several countries in the region, defined desired state, and suggested measures to improve civic participation in B-H. These were then incorporated in the Local Self-government Development Strategy. In addition, tools to continuously monitor the state of civic participation were created and presented to B-H municipalities. This project was realized in cooperation with CCI BiH.

Preparing and implementing local self-government reform is a demanding task in any state, and B-H is not an exception. The Local Self-government Development Strategy is the first comprehensive document which lays ground for successful advancement and development of local self-government and the development of local communities. The local initiative, local knowledge and the consensus of almost all the main actors involved make the entire process even more significant. The fact that the strategic document is a result of joint proactive action by the local administration and civil society adds additional value to the Strategy. If such cooperation continues in the implementation phase, the positive reform impact will be visible to the general public soon.

OSF BiH Local Governance Program Strategy 2007-2009 set as its focus the implementation of the Local Self-Governance Strategy priority goals: functional and fiscal decentralization. The selected projects, which will be implemented in collaboration with institutions and local ngo's are initiatives of the greatest importance, derived from the operative plan for the implementation of the Local Self-Governance Strategy.

The project is realised as comprehensive and applicable policy research where the main result is tied in with the creation of a new model of multi-type local self-government units as defined by the first strategic goal of functional decentralisation. The project is of fundamental nature, as it implies the creation and introduction of a new basic local self-government model, based on the concept of multi-type local units (instead of the present concept of mono-typical municipality). This will remove the greatest problems in decentralization (rather unequal territorial structure of local units, with vast differences in the level of urbanization and capacities of different local units to take on new obligations). The research focuses on the relation between the structure of local self-governance and the size of municipality territories, that is, on the structuring of local self-governance in space. The starting point is that one of the main internal limitations for the expected decentralisation in BiH is the unfavourable territorial organisation and rigid mono-type structure of local self-government units, a structure in which all units have the same jurisdiction and competencies irrespective of their great differences in levels of urbanisation, population and capacities.

Development of new model of local resources control, allocation and management

The project is aimed at accomplishing the second strategic goal - appropriate fiscal decentralization. The basis of this project is creating and introducing a new model that will ensure key participation of local governments in controlling local resources by their becoming owners of properties necessary for the functioning of local governments and achieving significant participation in managing and controlling natural resources within the local community. The methodological approach was created in view of the assumption that the matter of ownership and control of resources on the local level is of crucial importance for the development of local communities and the process of genuine decentralisation of BiH. The properties necessary for the functioning of local governments must be owned by these units in order for them to make efficient use of them, as well as legally providing for their maintenance and further development.

Proactive and responsible local leadership in BiH

The project aims to initiate and facilitate the transition from coincidental examples of successful leadership in BiH municipalities and cities to a systemic ensuring of proactive and responsible local leadership. The project will create a conceptual basis of municipality management based on contemporary know-how and local experiences. Examination of the role and characteristics of excellence, or failure, should encompass all key leadership and management areas in the municipality, from the development vision to relationship with the staff and the citizens. Based on such analysis, the new concept would represent the basis to improve the work of municipal management in BiH. The project implies elaboration, promotion and introduction of a new concept of modern leadership in local administration in BiH, with recommendations for its promotion and introduction. The accomplishment of this project will boost the realization of other objectives indicated in the Strategy such as promotion of modern local governance management tools (CAF), needs analysis for education and training of leadership, elected representatives and local administration staff, etc.

FIELD - Framework for Inclusive and Effective Local Development in BiH

The project is designed so as to contribute to proactive and responsible management of local development in BiH by creating a normative, methodological and management/organisational framework for inclusive and effective local development in BiH, primarily for better quality planning and effective implementation of local development strategies. This project focuses on defining:

a new normative framework that is to significantly expand and elaborate the existing sparse formulation of competencies of local self-government units to pass development plans and programs from entity legislation on local self-governance, which has never been augmented by other legislation or bylaws, nor have the preconditions and resources for its effective realisation been provided.

a new methodological framework that is to structure the present methodological chaos in applying various models and methods in BiH, ensuring quality planning of local development with active participation of stakeholders from the very onset of the process.

a new leadership and organisational framework that would enable timely development of local capacities for the implementation of strategic plans and projects.