The 2019 annual meeting to review the planning and implementation of EU funds for Bosnia and Herzegovina was held today in Sarajevo. The EU provides about € 530 million in the period 2014-2020, being the first donor partner in the country.
The meeting gathered stakeholders from all levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s administration, the European Union as well as representatives of EU Member States and Civil Society as observers. It was co-chaired by Mr Edin Dilberović, National IPA Coordinator for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ms. Michela Matuella, Head of Unit for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
The review focused on the results achieved in all sectors which benefit from EU funding, namely democracy and governance, rule of law and fundamental rights, competitiveness, innovation and agricultural and rural development, environment, energy and transport as well as education, employment and social policies. The discussion focused also on how best the future funding can help BiH deliver on the reform priorities set by the Commission Opinion on its EU membership application.
In preparation for the upcoming new financial assistance package for the period 2021-2027, the EU side reiterated the necessity for BiH authorities to find adequate internal arrangements for accelerating the implementation of programmes, improve effectiveness and ensure visibility of the results achieved for the benefit of BiH citizens.
The civil society organisations in BiH were invited to engage more closely in all phases of the policy cycle, from planning, programming and implementation to monitoring of the results in sectors of the EU assistance.
