Locations
UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina
About us
The United Nations Development Programme in BiH, with the support of UNDP's global network, has been helping the country to attract and use international assistance since 1996. Our main goals are the reconstruction of the country following the conflict, supporting and building national capacity in key sectors, advancing human development and helping to shift the focus of development planning from post-war recovery to long-term strategic development.
The work of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in BiH – and thereby the work of the UNDP – is guided by a 2021-2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was signed with the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2021. It represents a joint commitment to work in close partnership for results as defined in this Cooperation Framework that will help all people in BiH to live longer, healthier and more prosperous and secure lives.
Gender mainstreaming
Gender mainstreaming is ensured across the three priority areas of the UNSCDF, together with the wide range of strategic actions surrounding our program. Sustainable, resilient, and inclusive growth can only be achieved with the systematic inclusion of women in the labour market, their active participation in green and sustainable economies and its benefits, and the consideration of their specific needs and priorities in policymaking and the design and delivery of public services. People-centered governance and the rule of law initiatives actively include equal participation of women in public spaces, leadership positions and all places where decisions are made. Our interventions aiming to boost citizen and community engagement apply women as drivers of change approach as social cohesion can only be sustained in societies where women enjoy equal rights, where their particular needs and priorities are met, and where they are protected from sexual and gender-based violence. Climate change and environmental degradation are deeply gendered and affect women in both disproportionate and specific ways. For this reason, climate change adaptation and mitigation and sustainable management and protection of natural resources consider the gendered dimensions of environmental protection and action. Finally, an empowered and vibrant civil society will only achieve its full potential if women’s voices in all their diversity are heard, women-led CSO’s and grassroots are supported and synergies among women networks are strengthened in their attempts to achieve transformative, long-lasting and gender-responsive change.
What we do
With the goal of improving the lives of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of strengthening efforts to achieve a peaceful democratic society and of helping BiH to achieve long-term sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals, UNDP focusses its programme on the three priority areas of the UNSCDF:
- Sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth
- People centered governance and rule of law, and
- Citizen and community engagement for social cohesion.
BiH's strategic priority is accession to the EU. Therefore, in order to assist the country on its European path, our programme for 2021-2025 is streamlined through the following carefully-planned sectoral issues:
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation
- Sustainable management and protection of natural resources
- Sustainable economic growth and employment
- Policy and regulatory frameworks conducive to sustainable growth
- Good governance and quality public services
- Social policy & social services
- Rule of law
- Security
- Empowerment of civil society
- Vibrant and tolerant communities and active citizens.
Who are Decision Makers?
UNDP Country Office in BiH is managed by UNDP Resident Representative ad interim, Mr. Sylvain Merlen and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Stephen Kinloch Pichat who are responsible for ensuring the effective day-to-day management of UNDP Country Office and assume overall responsibility for the UNDP programmes and operations to ensure coherence and strategic direction of UNDP activities.
UNDP works in close collaboration with the governmental institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina at all levels through the key Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The implementation of UNDP programme activities are carried out by implementing Partners as appropriate, including national and local Government partners and civil society organizations.