Restoring Accountability and Supporting Transformation (RAST)
Through the RAST Project, USAID supports selected municipalities to strengthen the accountability, transparency and efficiency of public service delivery, in order to stimulate local economic development and improve citizens’ quality of life.
Through the RAST Project, USAID supports selected municipalities to strengthen the accountability, transparency and efficiency of public service delivery, in order to stimulate local economic development and improve citizens’ quality of life.
The project has two objectives:
- Businesses in the target municipalities use upgraded infrastructure to expand economic activities. The activity supports new municipalities to design and implement small to medium-sized construction projects to improve public infrastructure, and to ensure that local governments invest resources to co-finance infrastructure upgrades;
- Businesses acknowledge and use improved public services provided by municipalities with Business-Friendly Certificate (BFC). RAST financially and technically supports municipalities bring their economic governance systems and administrative processes in line with internationally recognized BFC, assisting them in marketing their BFC status and improved services domestically and internationally.
Flagship results achieved thus far:
- Technical support provided or ongoing in 16 municipalities/cities to obtain the internationally recognized BFC. 7 municipalities completed the process and received the certificate, while 3 others will be certified in 2018.
- 8 infrastructure projects stimulating economic growth (infrastructure for the industrial zones) implemented. Additional 2 infrastructure projects are in the last phase of construction.
- Support provided to the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Craft of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in developing an information system (IS) with a web portal of industrial/business zones in the Federation. This website provides information to potential investors about the business zones in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, economic indicators, and legislation needed for starting a business in the particular zone. An interface for IS integration with other institutions (the Tax Administration, the Geodetic Administration, the Finance Information Agency) has been developed.
Contact:
Debbie Shomberg, Country Representative, CRS/Bosnia and Herzegovina
Project duration:
2016. - 2018.
Themes:
Economic governance, Local infrastructure
Status:
Completed
Strategic partner:
Local Governments, Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of FBiH
Implementer:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Donor:
USAID
Project implemented in:
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska
Cantons:
Zenica-Doboj Canton, Tuzla Canton, West Herzegovina Canton, Sarajevo Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Bosnia –Podrinje Canton Goražde, Una-Sana Canton
Municipalities (23):
Banja Luka, Bihać, Brod, Centar Sarajevo, Goražde, Gradačac, Gradiška, Istočni Stari Grad , Jablanica, Kakanj, Laktaši, Novi Grad, Novi Grad Sarajevo, Pale, Posušje, Prijedor, Teslić, Trebinje, Tuzla, Ugljevik, Zavidovići, Zenica, Žepče