Through its Local Governance Assistance project, USAID strengthens the performance of selected local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina to better plan, manage, and improve the quality of public service delivery; promote sustainable local development; and increase transparency and accountability to citizens and businesses.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) development is constrained by a complex governance structure that frustrates political consensus on needed reforms, creates confusion over roles and responsibilities, and enables patronage and corruption. These factors weaken the quality of public services delivered to citizens and businesses. Citizen dissatisfaction with the quality and responsiveness of local government is widespread and high. Many citizens have lost hope in the prospect for change and large numbers of citizens are leaving to build better lives abroad.

USAID ASSISTANCE

Launched in October 2022, USAID’s five-year, $12.8 million Local Governance Assistance project aims to strengthen the performance of 30 selected local governments to better plan, manage, and improve the quality of public service delivery; promote sustainable local development; and increase transparency and accountability to citizens and businesses, which will build public trust and confidence and create incentives for citizens to remain in BiH and build a future here. The project will enhance the capacity of the partner governments to build sustainable, economically viable cities and municipalities and deliver the public services their citizens need. USAID will support inclusive processes to incorporate the voices of all citizens, particularly the marginalized and underserved, the private sector, and civil society.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The USAID Local Governance Assistance project provides financial and technical support to help BiH:

  • Strengthen local governments’ capacity to provide transparent, accountable, and quality public services in response to citizen and business demands. USAID will provide direct support to 30 local governments to streamline business processes, strengthen service delivery, accelerate digital transformation, and improve customer services and outreach activities. The project will help local governments put idle municipal land and property to productive use, facilitate investment in sustainable development, increase access to funding opportunities, and improve accountability and transparency — all of which create incentives for citizens to remain in BiH and help build its future.
  • Strengthen sustainable development initiatives with partnerships among local governments, the private sector, and/or civil society. The project helps partner local governments strengthen existing economic development capacities, market local investment opportunities, guide infrastructure and utility development, and train the workforce. To build private investor confidence, the project will help to improve business processes, simplify procedures, and pilot public-private partnerships for public services and IT systems. USAID will foster strong partnerships with businesses to develop strategic plans for sustainable development and empower citizens and businesses to oversee project implementation, mitigating opportunities for corruption.
  • Empower citizens and businesses to influence decision-making processes, demand positive change, and hold municipal officials accountable. This project helps local governments establish positive and cooperative engagement with civil society and the private sector through Citizen Advisory Panels, supporting a whole-of-society approach that increases collaboration and enhances transparency and open government. The project will introduce technologies, tools, and approaches that provide citizens with the means to monitor and hold elected officials accountable. Opportunities and mechanisms for citizens to engage in local governance invests them in the future of their communities and increases their stake in the outcome of local development.

EXPECTED RESULTS

  • Improved performance and public engagement mechanisms in 30 targeted municipalities  
  • Increase in positive citizen perception of local government accountability
  • Increased investment for local development priorities
  • Increased investments for local initiatives that promote healthier environments and a better quality of life for citizens
  • Improved regulatory framework
  • Increased use of digital tools and systems to improve government efficiency and transparency
  • Public-private partnerships between local governments and the private sector to foster economic development and efficient public service delivery
  • Citizens and businesses participate more frequently in government monitoring activities

 

Tags
transparency; accountability; governance; anti-corruption; civil society;