Bosnia and Herzegovina

Reinforcement of Local Democracy (LOD)

Background

Reinforcement of Local Democracy (LOD) is a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) BiH in a partnership with Delegation of the European commission to BiH, Ministry of Justice, municipalities and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of the project is to contribute to democratic stabilization, reconciliation and further development of BiH. The contribution will be made through support to selected municipalities for establishing improved local authority/civil society relations and facilitating financing mechanisms for improved service delivery.

58 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) implementing projects in 14 LOD Partner municipalities

LOD Partner municipalities:

1. Banja Luka
2. Bihać
3. Bugojno
4. Doboj
5. Gračanica
6. Laktaši
7. Maglaj
8. Mrkonjić Grad
9. Novi Grad Sarajevo
10. Široki Brijeg
11. Travnik
12. Velika Kladuša
13. Višegrad
14. Zenica

Additional six (associate municipalities) are involved in capacity building activities LOD

Associate municipalities:

1. Bosanska/Kozarska Dubica
2. Grad Sarajevo
3. Kalesija
4. Prijedor
5. Šamac
6. Zavidovići

Objectives

The first objective is to facilitate permanent partnerships between Civil Society Organizations (CSO) s and local authorities by building awareness on mutually beneficial cooperation and encouraging sustainable dialogue. This will be pursued through encouraging of the competitive process between municipalities to demonstrate their commitment towards CSOs, encouragement of signed agreements/protocols establishing relations between Municipal Councils, Municipality Mayors, and CSOs, introduction of innovative appraisal and monitoring systems and other activities such as promotion and documentation of good practices and networking opportunities.

The second objective is to generate unified and transparent mechanisms for disbursing municipal funds foreseen for CSO project-based activities in accordance with local service needs, and identified priorities; and to ensure a sustainable source of funding trough a municipal budget line for financing CSO projects The third objective is to encourage NGOs/CSOs to specialize/professionalize their activities – to adopt a longer-term planning perspective, to become more responsive to local needs and less dependent on current donor priorities. Public Call for proposals, to be carried out by the municipal authorities, will encourage municipalities to sign agreements/ protocols establishing relations with the civil society sector, which in turn will persuade CSOs to better respond to the demand in local communities and sharpen their competitiveness.

Achievements and Expected Results

Implemented over a period of 18 months, LOD will ensure that partner local governments adopt transparent mechanisms for the disbursement of local funds foreseen for CSOs projects, including signing agreements/protocols on cooperation with CSOs. It will promote improved communication and partnership among CSOs, and among CSOs and local governments, as well as increased mobilization of municipal funds for strengthening local grassroots organisations and further development of services provided by CSOs.

As a result of the project, a minimum of 10 local governments will adopt transparent mechanisms for the disbursement of funds for CSO projects, with at least one project per municipality funded. Participating municipalities will allocate resources that amount to at least 10% of the total available budget for the municipal public call, using transparent criteria and the project approach for the disbursement of funds. Moreover, mechanisms for monitoring/evaluation of projects activities and results implemented by CSOs will be created and adopted, while a monitoring baseline for local government/CSO relations will be established and appropriate tools introduced.