Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stefano Ellero, said today that the European Union, through the Energy Support Package, provided 70 million euros for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the most vulnerable households and part for improving energy efficiency in the context of the entire energy transition.
”The sum of 63 million euros should arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a few days. We have had dynamic meetings with the competent authorities at the entity and Brčko District levels lately to agree on the fastest and most efficient ways to distribute and spend the funds,” stated Ellero at a meeting in Sarajevo dedicated to the implementation of the EU Energy Support Package for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as pointed out, will receive 70 million euros through budget support, with planned distribution in three components. The first is help to vulnerable families in coping with the consequences of high prices, including the rise in energy prices, with 50 million euros allocated, the second component is support for households in improving energy efficiency, with 10 million euros, and the third component refers to support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in improving energy efficiency, for which ten million euros will be available.
Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Treasury of BiH Sehija Mujkanović said that the Ministry of Finance and Treasury is one of the institutions participating in the implementation from the BiH level, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH.
Adnan Tatar from the Office of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for European Integration said that energy support funds from the EU, which will be directed towards households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for energy efficiency measures, will be distributed through public calls.
“Concerning energy efficiency measures three and four of the Action Plan, the FBiH Environmental Protection Fund will implement these two programs, and the Government of the Federation of BiH will, based on the proposal of the FBiH Ministry of Spatial Planning and the FBiH Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, adopt spending programs with criteria and submit the Fund for implementation. The Fund and the ministries, together with the entire Government, worked and prepared public calls and other activities. We are also grateful to the European Commission for its support,” added Tatar.
Assistant Minister of Health and Social Protection of Republika Srpska, Vladimir Makarić, said that about 32.3 million BAM is earmarked for this significant instrument of support for the most vulnerable categories of the population and added that the RS Government adopted a decision on the distribution of these grants.
The Mayor of the Brčko District, Zijad Nišić, said that the criteria for the distribution of funds are similar to those in the RS and that there are 12,500 potential beneficiaries. He noted that Brčko District has laws adapted to the energy transition.
“We are grateful to the EU for recognizing the socioeconomic problem that has accelerated with the impact of inflation. With this distribution, we received 500,000 euros and we are not equally represented in the distribution of funds,” said Nišić, Fena reports.
