Best practices | Najbolje prakse

Successful initiatives, innovative approaches

This Platform highlights successful initiatives and innovative approaches implemented by local communities across the Federation of Bosnia, Republika Srpska and Brčko District. It serves as a platform for showcasing effective solutions to local challenges, encouraging knowledge sharing, and inspiring other cities and municipalities to adopt best practices.

Frequently asked questions

About the platform

Dear Citizens,

I am delighted to welcome you to this new platform, dedicated to supporting local democracy and promoting human rights at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This platform is designed to help local governments and the public enhance transparency, accountability, and participation in decision-making processes that significantly impact the life and future of local communities.

Developed with the support of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and in partnership with the associations of cities and municipalities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, this platform serves as a key point for sharing best ideas and practices in local governance.

It provides an opportunity for local governments, civil society, and citizens to exchange information, connect, and collaborate in promoting democratic values and human rights.

By creating a space for dialogue and the exchange of ideas, we hope this platform will encourage citizens to engage directly with local authorities and influence policies that shape their communities and daily lives. This will contribute to the continuous improvement of local democracy and civic participation, supporting the long-term development of communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I invite you to explore the resources, take part in discussions, and contribute to the ongoing growth of this initiative. Together, we can build a more transparent and accountable system that responds to your needs and reflects the values of the Council of Europe.

Yours sincerely,

Bojana Urumova
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo

Dear Visitor,

On behalf of the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska we warmly welcome you to this platform.

This initiative marks a significant step in our joint efforts to strengthen local democracy, enhance transparency, and promote citizen participation across Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the support of the Council of Europe Congress we are committed to providing municipalities and cities across the country with the tools and resources needed to foster accountable and inclusive governance.

We believe this platform will serve as a valuable hub for sharing knowledge, exchanging best practices and encouraging open dialogue among local authorities and citizens.

We encourage you to explore, engage, and take full advantage of the resources available here as we continue on this journey toward more responsive and resilient local governance.

Yours sincerely,

Vesna Travljanin, Director

Branislav Samardžić, Secretary General

Association of Local Authorities

Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an independent organization of voluntarily united municipalities and cities within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, established with the aim of developing local self-government and promoting and protecting their common interests.

As a non-governmental and non-profit organization, it was founded by municipalities and cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the founding Assembly held in 2002 in Mostar. The founding document of the Federal Association was signed by 54 members, who also jointly adopted the Statute of the newly established Association. Within the Association, there is free exchange of experiences and opinions, promotion of common interests, participation in consultations for the adoption of legislation, protection of shared interests, and cooperation with national and international associations, organizations, and government institutions.

As an independent and legitimate representative of local self-government units, the Association advocates for and protects the common interests of its members, provides services to enhance their capacities, and supports the social and economic development of local communities, all in accordance with the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

According to the Decision on the Development Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021–2027 (“Official Gazette of FBiH”, no. 74/18), local self-government units express and represent their interests in the process of drafting the FBiH Development Strategy through the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska

The Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska (SOGRS), headquartered in Bijeljina, was established in 1998 as an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, national association of public interest. Municipalities and cities voluntarily join the Association to cooperate, exchange experiences, and act jointly in order to achieve common interests defined by the SOGRS Statute, law, and other acts. SOGRS represents the interests of its members before higher levels of government, other authorities, and organizations, both within Republika Srpska and abroad.

The legal basis for the establishment of SOGRS is the Law on Local Self-Government, which stipulates that local self-government units may form the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Republika Srpska to promote and protect their common interests. The law also allows SOGRS to join international associations of local authorities and to cooperate with corresponding associations of local authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, in accordance with the law.

SOGRS’s cooperation with higher levels of government in Republika Srpska is reflected in its partnership with the Government of Republika Srpska, with which it has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. It also cooperates with ministries, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska and its committees, as well as other republican bodies, organizations, and institutions. SOGRS has signed memoranda or cooperation agreements with the Tax Administration of Republika Srpska, the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska, the Environmental Protection Fund of Republika Srpska, and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia.

SOGRS maintains close and ongoing cooperation with the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, SOGRS is a member of recognized international organizations such as the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS).