The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the proposal of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted the Decision on the Approval of a Multi-Year Project for Co-financing Demining Costs for the Period 2025-2027.
This is the first time that significant funds have been allocated from the budget of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the demining process, which demonstrates the determination of BiH to accelerate the clearance of mine areas.
The multi-year project “Co-financing Demining Costs” foresees a total of two million KM, of which 650,000 KM for 2025, 650,000 KM for 2026 and 700,000 KM for 2027.
Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bošnjak stated that demining is not only about removing mines, but also about creating a safe environment for citizens, returning agricultural land and opening up space for the economic development of local communities.
There are currently 838 km² of suspected mine-contaminated areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which makes up 1.63 percent of the total area of the country. The plan for 2024 envisages the return of 145.40 km², but progress so far indicates slower implementation.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs therefore envisaged the return of 75 km² per year in the revised Mine Action Strategy for the period 2025-2027. 61.35 million KM is needed to achieve the annual plan of 75 km².
The main objective of the project is to accelerate the demining process, return cleared areas to citizens and increase the attractiveness of Bosnia and Herzegovina for donors, in order to secure additional funds for the removal of mines and unexploded ordnance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH announced.
