EU and UNDP support more than 100,000 people in BiH through Local Integrated Development project

On 31 May 2016, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Commitment with Mayors of 21 municipalities and cities in BiH, by which they declared their commitment to support the local integrated development project, which will enable inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development, enhance good governance practices and development of local infrastructure and services in their communities.

Following the public call, these municipalities and cities were selected to participate in the EUR 6.6 million worth EU funded project “Local Integrated Development” (LID) : Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Čelinac, Doboj, Foča, Goražde, Gradiška, Konjic, Mostar, Maglaj, Modriča, Novi Grad, Odžak, Orašje, Prijedor, Srebrenik, Šamac, Tuzla, Vareš, Žepče and Živinice.

Melvin Asin, Head of Cooperation at the  EU Delegation to BiH said: “The LID project is part of the EU Programme for Local Development and Employment that represents continuation of EU efforts to assist economic recovery of the country, create new jobs and improve living standards for the citizens. The activities of the Programme will also contribute to the goals of the BiH Reform Agenda to improve business environment and economic competitiveness.“

The LID project will be implemented by UNDP over the three-year period from 2016 to 2018, in partnership with BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, FBiH Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, RS Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government and two associations of municipalities and cities in the FBiH and RS.

The project will contribute to enhancing good governance practices by establishing local development partnerships, designing inclusive development strategies, and improving the ability of local administrations to plan and manage local development and finances, in accordance with the needs of the local communities. The project will support 30 micro, small and medium enterprises, 300 rural households and 100,000 beneficiaries.

“LID project seeks to improve the standard of living and enhance social inclusion of more than 100,000 people in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Zahira Virani, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. “The project will provide support to the creation of jobs and income opportunities in local communities, especially for persons from socially vulnerable groups such as returnees, internally displaced persons, households affected by floods, women, the elderly, Roma, people with disabilities and long-term unemployed”.

“Doboj was one of the cities that suffered greatly in the catastrophic floods of 2014, but also a city that has been thoroughly renovated, thanks to the assistance from the European Union and UNDP. Today we made a step forward and, after the signature of these MoUs and Letters of Commitment, we’ll go to work together on the improvement of living standards and creation of new jobs for our citizens”, said Obren Petrović, Mayor of Doboj.

“Local Integrated Development” project is part of the EU Programme for Local Development and Employment which is funded by the EU in the amount of EUR 19 million. Three projects that operate under the Programme will be implemented by UNDP, GIZ and ILO, until January 2019, with aim to assist economic recovery of floods affected areas, support the local economic development and local NGOs with social development recovery assistance and provide structural employment enhancement measures through integrated local development.

Europa.ba