Strengthening the Role of Local Communities (mjesne zajednice) in BiH (MZ)

The project has three specific outcomes:

• Outcome 1 seeks out examples of best practice in local communities (mjesne zajednice – MZs) in the region, finding the legal and institutional structures that work and the inspirational examples that show people what can be achieved. It stimulates a wide public debate on these findings, helping to develop a new vision of the role that MZs can play in 21st century Bosnia and Herzegovina and providing a sound foundation for future projects and legislative reform.
• Outcome 2 works directly with the leaders and communities that make up MZs, and with local government officials and administration who are ultimately responsible for most of the public services. It strengthens leadership, improves organisation, systems and the regulatory framework at the local level, and provides MZs with the tools they need to engage the community, involve women, include the most vulnerable, take joint decisions and put their ideas into effect. 
• Outcome 3 will create a new legal structure that fits with the vision across all tiers of government, to create an environment where MZs can become effective and democratic channels for citizens to participate in their own governance. By developing and disseminating practical guidelines, enforcement of the newly-introduced regulatory frameworks will be facilitated.

Flagship results:

• Analytical Report on MZs, including comparative review of legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries, prepared and disseminated to at least 2,500 citizens. 
• New MZ Vision in Bosnia and Herzegovina – verified, endorsed and adopted in partner LGs.
• 124 trainings were delivered for municipal staff officials, MZ leaders and staff.
• Increase in democratic accountability and citizens’ involvement through annual planning and budgeting process - 704 priorities of MZs and citizens effectively embedded into LG budgets and strategic frameworks. 
• 322 MZ projects co-funded by the local partner governments.
• 76 Civil Society Organization (CSO) projects supported benefitting more than 9,500 women and more than 3,600 socially excluded.
• 27,496 citizens volunteered in various actions in partner local governments and MZs.
• Country-wide MZ networking initiatives and exchange of ideas and practices supported - the Project together with both Associations of Cities and Municipalities created the MZ Network for Local Communities practitioners which consists of 80 local governments country-wide.
• 36 good practices were documented and analyzed.
• Three Commissions were established in both entities and Brčko District and held 12 consultative meetings to draft recommendations for improvement of relevant legislative frameworks.
• The project developed the “MZ Methodology” as a result of assessing good MZ practices that can be widely disseminated and applied at the LG level. All 24 LGs continued with the planned activities for institutionalization of MZ Methodology.

Contact:
Alma Zukorlić, Programme Officer, Embassy of Switzerland, alma.zukorlic@eda.admin.ch
Mario Vignjević, Programme Officer, Embassy of Sweden, mario.vignjevic@gov.se
Majda Ganibegović, Project Manager, UNDP, majda.ganibegovic@undp.org