“An open and constructive dialogue between civil society organisations and decision makers in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a prerequisite for progress in the EU integration progress,” it was concluded today in the BiH Parliament Building, where three web portals were presented that will enable citizens and civil society in BiH to participate in the decision-making process.

The web platforms eConsultations, the eRegistry of associations and foundations as well as the cumulative eRegistry of associations and foundations, were developed through the project ”Capacity Building of Government Institutions to Engage in Policy Dialogue with Civil Society in BiH”. The project is funded by the European Union in the amount of around €570,000 to strengthen participation and involvement of civil society organisations in the process of policy development and the process of European integration and strengthening of e-government.

During the presentations of the platforms, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, stressed the importance of maintaining an open, transparent and regular dialogue so as to improve the policy making process and monitoring of institutions.

“Politicians are elected by the people and should listen to the people. I invite all BiH governmental levels to recognise the value of these platforms and engage in a process of transparent and functional dialogue with citizens and non-governmental organizations in BiH,” said Ambassador Wigemark.

The European Union is increasing its assistance to the development of the civil sector and has recently signed nine contracts worth €4 million with 18 civil society organisations in BiH.