Phase 2
The City of Bijeljina has been actively involved in the multi-year project “Strengthening the Role of Local Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina” since 2016, which is financially supported by the Governments of Switzerland and Sweden, and implemented by UNDP in BiH. The project aims to improve the quality of life of citizens by strengthening local government, improving services and infrastructure, and enhancing democratic accountability and social inclusion.
Following the successful implementation of Phase 1, the City of Bijeljina continued its participation in Phase 2, in which five new local communities were selected for the implementation of project activities: CrnjelovoGornje, DonjiZagoni, Vršani, Sokolskidom, and Novo Naselje.
Key Activities and Results
2021:
2022:
2023:
Total value of all five projects: 162,453.04 BAM (Donation: 43,084.86 BAM, City of Bijeljina: 119,368.18 BAM).
Localization of the Vision for the Development of Local Communities
Financing of additional activities
As a result of the Direct Call for the submission of project proposals from partner local communities within the reward fund, announced in April 2023, the prioritized proposals from the Sokolski Dom local community forum were implemented. The best proposal was for two classrooms, a school library, and sports equipment for the gym at “VukKaradžić” Primary School in Bijeljina.
Total value of the acquired goods for “VukKaradžić” Primary School: 17,703.15 BAM.
The goal of the project “Strengthening the Role of Local Communities in BiH – Phase 2” is to improve the quality of life of citizens in BiH through strengthened, gender-responsive local communities (LCs) that foster active citizen engagement in public life and serve as good practice examples of local governance focused on people and democratic change at the local level.
The “Strengthening the Role of Local Communities in BiH” project has significantly contributed to improving the living conditions of citizens in Bijeljina through infrastructure investments, training, and strengthening the capacities of local communities as the fundamental units of local governance.
Following the successful implementation of Phase 1, the City of Bijeljina continued its participation in Phase 2, in which five new local communities were selected for the implementation of project activities: CrnjelovoGornje, DonjiZagoni, Vršani, Sokolskidom, and Novo Naselje.
Key Activities and Results
2021:
- Training organized for the members of the local community councils on organizing Citizen forums.
- Citizen forums organized in four project local communities to define priorities.
- Five sets of computer equipment were purchased for project local communities and a projector with a screen for the City Administration.
- Equipment value: 14,601.60 BAM (Donation: 12,480.00 BAM, City of Bijeljina: 2,121.60 BAM).
2022:
- Project cycle management (PCM) training organized for representatives of five project local communities and the City Administration.
- A Direct Call for project funding in partner local communities was announced. Four of the five local communities submitted proposals, which were successfully evaluated and approved.
- Implemented projects:
- CrnjelovoGornje – “Children are Our Treasure” (replacement of windows in the school, improvement of energy efficiency) – 25,740 BAM.
- Sokolskidom – Paving part of MajkeJevrosime Street – 33,375.65 BAM.
- Vršani – Paving the plaza in front of the Health Centre and school – 35,839.91 BAM.
- Novo Naselje – Reconstruction of the local community building – 34,934.04 BAM.
- Trainingon the use of communication and information technologies for representatives of project local communitieswas organized.
2023:
- The project “Construction of a Sports and Recreational Complex in the Local Community DonjiZagoni”was implemented, which included the construction of an outdoor gym with seven pieces of equipment – 32,563.44 BAM.
Total value of all five projects: 162,453.04 BAM (Donation: 43,084.86 BAM, City of Bijeljina: 119,368.18 BAM).
Localization of the Vision for the Development of Local Communities
- Based on consultations with citizens and representatives of local communities, the document “Vision for the Development of Local Communities in the City of Bijeljina”was created and adopted.
- An Operational Plan for the period 2022–2026 was adopted, which outlines measures to strengthen the role of local communities.
- Trainings were organized for the members of the councils of 70 local communities on citizen participation in local development and reporting.
- Women in leadership roles in eight local communities were particularly strengthened through training on leadership, advocacy, and public speaking.
- Offices of eight local communities equipped (purchase of laptops, office furniture, and space renovation).
Financing of additional activities
- Total value of activities for the localization of the Vision for the Development of Local Communities: 36,816.68 BAM (Donation: 18,000.00 BAM, City of Bijeljina: 18,816.68 BAM).
As a result of the Direct Call for the submission of project proposals from partner local communities within the reward fund, announced in April 2023, the prioritized proposals from the Sokolski Dom local community forum were implemented. The best proposal was for two classrooms, a school library, and sports equipment for the gym at “VukKaradžić” Primary School in Bijeljina.
Total value of the acquired goods for “VukKaradžić” Primary School: 17,703.15 BAM.
The goal of the project “Strengthening the Role of Local Communities in BiH – Phase 2” is to improve the quality of life of citizens in BiH through strengthened, gender-responsive local communities (LCs) that foster active citizen engagement in public life and serve as good practice examples of local governance focused on people and democratic change at the local level.
The “Strengthening the Role of Local Communities in BiH” project has significantly contributed to improving the living conditions of citizens in Bijeljina through infrastructure investments, training, and strengthening the capacities of local communities as the fundamental units of local governance.
