The Opening Conference of the LINK 4 Cooperation project attended more than 30 representatives of Local Authorities from 12 Municipalities
With the support of the European Union, the Opening Conference of the project “Strengthening local participation and cooperation through partnership of Public Authorities and CSOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina – LINK 4 Cooperation” was held in Mostar on Jun 18th.
The Conference was attended by Mayors and political representatives of Berkovići, Jablanica, Kostajnica, Maglaj, Mostar, Nevesinje, Novi Grad, Prijedor, Ravno, Trebinje, Zavidović and Žepče who expressed their readiness to participate in the implementation of participatory processes to jointly identify specific community problems and find optimal solutions.
On the occasion of the project conference and given its specificity and importance in the context of future development and growth of local communities, Mr. Nicolas Bizel, Head of the Section of Operations for Justice, Home Affairs and Public Administration Reform of the EU Delegation to BiH, confirmed the importance of such a project for citizens and emphasized that: “Efficient, quality, responsible and transparent public administration is a prerequisite for economic progress and stability. Only together, in partnership, can we build a high-quality public administration that serves the citizens and continuously creates conditions for socio-economic development.”
Ms. Bojana Urumova, Head of the Council of Europe / Europe Office in BiH, also addressed the audience via video link, stating: “Local governments must be able to respond to new challenges and changes in the needs of citizens. It is good to see local civil society organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina actively working with regional and international partners, including the Council of Europe / Europe Center of Expertise for Good Governance, and applying the principles of the ELoGE methodology for good governance. I am convinced that selected municipalities and cities will have the opportunity to offer better public services and solutions that really meet people’s needs, leaving no one behind.”
Ms. Alina Tatarenko, Head of the Center of Expertise for Good Governance of the Council of Europe, who also addressed the participants of this conference by video link, said: “As you know, this project will be implemented in cooperation with our Center of Expertise for Good Governance, as it is based on the 12 European principles of good democratic governance. These principles embody a common vision of good governance in the member states of the Council of Europe. The importance of good democratic governance cannot be overstated. That is the most important thing for democracy, peace and stability in Europe. It is crucial to ensure that citizens and civil society as a whole have confidence in public institutions.’’
Ms. Dženana Dedić, director of the Local Democracy Agency Mostar, especially pointed out that only joint action of active citizens of transparent and responsible government leads to a modern democratic and prosperous community of comfortable living and called on civil society organizations to get information about the project. “Join! That would be my message to the civil sector!”
The Local Democracy Agency Mostar is the project leader in cooperation with the project partners: Local Democracy Agency Zavidovići, Local Democracy Agency Prijedor, Center for Development of Herzegovina (CRH) from Trebinje and ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy.
ALDA Skopje is an affiliated partner of this three-year project worth over 540,000 euros, of which the European Union finances 490,000 euros.
Please visit the photo gallery of the Opening Conference of the project at the following link.
