Local authorities are the level of government most readily available to citizens while also holding the most development potential. Municipal administrators are also the most dynamic government actors, acutely aware of the need to create better living conditions and help generate employment for their citizens. Political deadlocks and complex constitutional arrangements in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have, however, conspired to slow the pace of reforms, discourage investment, and exacerbate growing social inequalities.
As essential public service providers, local governments continue to struggle with user satisfaction, quality of service considerations, sustainability and access, with the latter particularly relevant in rural areas. At present, less than 40% of the country’s population is connected to the public sanitation system with 90% of the collected wastewater released into the watercourses without treatment, resulting in serious contamination of both water and soil. In addition, most of the water utilities in the country are not financially sustainable, which poses a long-term water supply risk.
To address these challenges, the Government of Switzerland launched the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project in 2016. The project is part of the Swiss Cooperation Programme in BiHwithin the Local Governance and Municipal Service domain and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in BiH (UNDP BiH). The MEG project aims to improve municipal development management systems and services in the environmental and economic sectors. These improvements will result in better local services for the citizens, enhanced accountability and trust between local authorities, citizens and businesses. Special attention will be paid to improving living conditions of vulnerable groups.
As essential public service providers, local governments continue to struggle with user satisfaction, quality of service considerations, sustainability and access, with the latter particularly relevant in rural areas. At present, less than 40% of the country’s population is connected to the public sanitation system with 90% of the collected wastewater released into the watercourses without treatment, resulting in serious contamination of both water and soil. In addition, most of the water utilities in the country are not financially sustainable, which poses a long-term water supply risk.
To address these challenges, the Government of Switzerland launched the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project in 2016. The project is part of the Swiss Cooperation Programme in BiHwithin the Local Governance and Municipal Service domain and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in BiH (UNDP BiH). The MEG project aims to improve municipal development management systems and services in the environmental and economic sectors. These improvements will result in better local services for the citizens, enhanced accountability and trust between local authorities, citizens and businesses. Special attention will be paid to improving living conditions of vulnerable groups.
