As part of its continuous support to development of sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union is providing €770.000 in grants across five municipalities located in both the Federation and Republika Srpska in the Majevica region. The municipalities of Čelić, Lopare, Sapna, Teočak and Ugljevikare working together to establish new tourist offers in the Majevica and Podmajevica region that can produce new jobs and business opportunities in this part of the country.
As part of its continuous support to development of sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union is providing €770.000 in grants across five municipalities located in both the Federation and Republika Srpska in the Majevica region. The municipalities of Čelić, Lopare, Sapna, Teočakand Ugljevik are working together to establish new tourist offers in the Majevica and Podmajevica region that can produce new jobs and business opportunities in this part of the country.
The Majevica and Podmajevica region is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage and natural beauty. It presents many advantages for tourists, including a rich gastronomical offer, rural tourism, and opportunities for cycling and trail running. Opportunities to boost tourism are limited however by inadequate infrastructure. The EU is therefore providing support by funding the reconstruction of the Crveno Brdo mountain lodge in Ugljevik, the medieval cultural monument necropolis of the Stećak of Međeđa in Sapna, the source of sulphur water in Lopare, the natural Lake Humačko in Čelić and the Bosnian Cultural Center in Teočak.
“I am happy that we are working together with local authorities in five municipalities on the development of this area to set up the foundations for sustainable tourism. Our support comes with the objective of creating new jobs and providing a unique recreational resource for citizens as well as tourists. Tourism can and should be a source of economic growth, and BiH needs to use this potential. This project demonstrates yet again that working together yields the best results for citizens”, said Stefano Ellero Head of Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to BiH.
The completed works on the Majevica’s pearl Humačko Lake, a natural lake on the mountain slopes between Gornji Humci and Sitari, were presented on Tuesday, 19 September in the presence of the local authorities of the five municipalities, citizens and the media. Because the lake is rich in fish, it is attractive to fishing enthusiasts, and has great potential for the development of fishing tourism. . The EU supported the rehabilitation of the Humačko Lake, access pathways, and bathing sites, allowing for the development of sports and recreational tourism.
Admir Hrustanović, Mayor of Čelić expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is reflected in the comprehensive support for the work of the municipality, as well as the support through various infrastructure projects that are being implemented in the area of the municipality Čelić: “The arrangement of Humačko lake will contribute to the development of tourism, a more beautiful and a more pleasant environment for staying in untouched nature, as well as sport fishing, which is already traditional on this lake. Two more very important projects for the population of the Municipality of Čelić are also in the implementation phase, namely, the clearing of terrain that is still infested with mines and the construction of a fire station, which the Municipality of Čelić didn’t have until now. This is proof that the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina has proven to be an excellent partner and great support for the Čelić Municipality, all with the aim of creating the best possible conditions for the citizens of the Čelić Municipality as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Mayor Hrustanović.
During the ceremony at Humačko Lake, a short film about the tourist potential of the Majevica region was screened followed by a workshop where a need for a coordinated and well-planned tourist development was underscored. The workshop highlighted the need to recognise the potential of the region as a driving force of new business ideas and new job opportunities in the area of Majevica.
“The EU intervention through support in the Majevica project is significant because it has resulted in many projects, thus building cohesion among the citizens of our region, by developing infrastructure in our local communities. Cohesion is built through mutual trust, cooperation, common ideas, and projects, which contribute to a better life for our citizens. The role of local government representatives in the local community is to raise it to a higher level and to be an example to other communities. Appreciation of our specificities and particularities, along with good inter-ethnic and interpersonal relations, is certainly the future of this area and the region of Majevica, and we will do our best to contribute to this and be an example to higher levels of government and other regions”emphasized Rado Savić, Mayor of Lopare.
The project “EU for local communities” is funded by the European Union to improve citizens’ living standards and strengthen the capacities of local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is implemented by the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD) with the partner organization Help.
The European Union is moreover providing an additional 700.000 euros in grants for infrastructure interventions and small-scale actions in the Majevica region through ‘Možemo bolje’ project, an initiative implemented with the OSCE, UN, and the Council of Europe aimed at strengthening social cohesion and promoting cooperation. These actions have been carried out in collaboration with local authorities and non-governmental organisations in this area.
