Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1995 and opened an office in Sarajevo in 1996.

Challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is working towards EU accession. However, the country and its institutions are facing major challenges. Fragmented administrative bodies and understaffed authorities are slowing reforms, cooperation with the institutions and progress towards the EU. Limited media freedom, social inequalities as well as organised crime and irregular migration are putting a strain on the country. They are weakening social cohesion and democratic participation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is also making slow progress with regard to energy, climate and environmental policy: planned objectives are proving difficult to implement. The municipalities lack personnel and expertise. Climate change is having an increasingly severe impact on the country, and environmental problems like inadequate waste management are exacerbating the situation.

The country’s economy is shaped by small and medium-sized enterprises and is frequently not competitive enough. Progress with digitalisation and environmental protection has been slow. Fewer new jobs and prospects are being created as a result. High youth unemployment is making the shortage of skilled workers worse. Training needs to be more closely aligned with the requirements of businesses.

GIZ’s areas of activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

To tackle these challenges, GIZ works in the following priority areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Democracy and the rule of law
• Climate action and environmental protection
• Economic development and employment

In the priority area democracy and the rule of law, GIZ supports authorities in better cooperating with one another on the EU accession process and strengthens dialogue between the state and civil society. Both aspects help administrative bodies to work more effectively. Furthermore, GIZ promotes media freedom and media diversity as well as regional cooperation to facilitate social and economic participation for disadvantaged groups.

In the area of climate, energy and the environment, GIZ implements the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans jointly with Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthens the regional climate partnership with Germany. This includes promoting renewable energies, assisting with more efficient energy use and enabling communities to implement a sustainable energy and climate policy.

GIZ actively shapes sustainable economic development. It boosts the labour market, promotes digital and green innovations and supports economic cooperation in the region. As part of this, GIZ supports small and medium-sized enterprises and vocational training institutions that develop practical, digital and green skills.