Transparency International in BiH starts cooperation with local governments in BiH with the aim of strengthening citizen participation in decision-making

At today’s conference, Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) presented the results of research on proactive transparency and direct participation of citizens in local government decision-making and announced the development of an online platform for consultation and communication between local authorities and citizens.

Sarajevo, March 10, 2021 – Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) presented at today’s conference the results of research on proactive transparency and direct participation of citizens in local government decision-making and announced the development of an online platform for consultation and communication between local authorities and citizens.

The survey, to which only 33 out of 143 municipalities in BiH responded, shows that just over a third (34.4%) of BiH municipalities proactively publish their own budgets. While the situation is somewhat better with the publication of competitions and advertisements published by slightly less than two thirds (62.2%) of local self-government units, the presented level of proactive transparency of local self-government units does not provide an appropriate basis for citizen participation in decision-making. way and obstacle to it.

The research also revealed that citizens mostly participate in decisions in the field of construction, management and use of communal infrastructure facilities, as well as the manner of their financing. Also, only 18 local self-governments out of 33 have secured the transmission of council / assembly sessions through local RTV services, and 16 of them publish information through a web presentation, and only 3 through social networks.

Reinout Vos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressed hope that this project will start the process of strengthening communication between citizens and the local community.

“We want to encourage stronger citizen participation in the decision-making process in order to strengthen the democratic principles of local self-government, such as transparency, accountability and integrity,” said Ambassador Vos.

Emsad Dizdarević on behalf of TI BiH emphasized that it is necessary to establish mechanisms of constant communication between citizens and local self-government units in order to increase the level of direct participation of citizens at the local level. “This would ensure continuous two-way communication between local administrations and councils / assemblies and citizens, which is crucial.”

In this regard, he added, it is necessary to develop partnerships with civil society organizations, but also to invest in educational programs, campaigns and initiatives that promote citizen participation in the decision-making process. During the conference, TI BiH presented the planned activities and announced the establishment of cooperation with municipalities and cities in BiH, which will work on developing and implementing mechanisms for greater citizen participation in the decision-making process.

The “E-participation” project, implemented by Transparency International in BiH with the financial support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in BiH, aims to improve relations between local authorities and citizens with an emphasis on the use of new technologies.

Press rls_10.3.2021.