Digital transformation in the Public Sector in BiH

 

Introduction

Digital transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is slowly gaining speed. Yet, its full potential remains largely untapped. Global practice shows that to build a public sector that is fit for the future, governments must “reinvent” themselves. Digital transformation is not just about new technologies, but requires an overhaul of organizational structures, work processes, skills, culture and mindset.

Based on this vision for public administrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP and the the British Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed the Memorandum of Understanding in September 2020, partnering up to support the digital transformation in the country. This initiative has been further concretized through the launch of the Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Project  which aims to support authorities in their journey towards the country’s digital future by promoting new capabilities and leveraging technology and innovation for more effective and inclusive governance and public service delivery.

 

What we do

The Project is geared toward supporting governments and institutions across all levels to undergo a digital transformation, through enhanced capacities for transparent and effective policy making, knowledge and resource management, which translate into accelerated development results, accountability and people-centred public services. In partnership with authorities and all relevant stakeholders, the Project will contribute to the following main results:

  • Result 1: Enabling legal and policy environment accelerate digital transformation in the public sector, including introduction of innovative technology-based tools and assessments for new e-services and e-policies; strengthening policy dialogue for inclusive development of e-government policy and strategic frameworks; and supporting responsible institutions to lead inclusive design or amendment of priority regulatory frameworks that enable e-governance.
  • Result 2: Effective, people-centred and efficient e-government and e-services improve quality of life for citizens and ease of doing business, including design and setting in function of key e-services (for citizens – G2C , businesses – G2B  or other institutions – G2G ); supporting  key information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure; and strengthening the institutional framework and capacities for digital governance.
  • Result 3: Knowledge-sharing and networking among public sector stakeholders catalyse ideas and digital capacities, with  Digital transformation practitioners’ network established and functioning; expert support and backstopping from advanced e-government countries provided; excellence in digital governance promoted and recognized.

Financial contributors

The key partner in delivery of the Project is the British Embassy Sarajevo/the Government of the United Kingdom through its Good Governance Fund. This partnership has already been tested and strengthened through previous project-level cooperation and joint initiatives in the area of digital transformation, including support to peer learning of key stakeholders/change agents (conferences) and launching of the Digital Transformation Practitioners’ Network in the country. As initial activities, “Digital Transformation in BiH: Governments a click away from Citizens” and Government in BiH on the Digital Transformation Journey conferences has been organized, and a vision for this initiative has been presented.

Geographic coverage

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Donors

United Nations Development Programme, Government of the United Kingdom, Government of the Netherlands

Project value and donors

Total budget 2020-2024

USD 5,000,000

United Nations Development Programme

USD 522,830.00  

Government of the United Kingdom/Good Governance Fund

GBP 500,000 (Year I)

Government of the Netherlands

USD 199,692.00 (Year I)

Partners

BiH Ministry of Transport and Communications, General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of BiH; BiH Ministry of Justice; Civil Service Agency of BiH; Public Administration Reform Coordination Office of BiH; Communications Regulatory Agency of BiH; Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange of BiH; FBiH Ministry of Transport and Communications; General Secretariat of the Government of the FBiH; FBiH Ministry of Justice; Civil Service Agency of the FBiH; RS Ministry of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society; RS Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Government; RS Ministry of Justice; Civil Service Agency of RS; Cantonal ministries; Local governments.

Focus area

Social Inclusion and Democratic Governance

Impact

START DATE

August 2020

END DATE

August 2024

STATUS

Ongoing

PROJECT OFFICE

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

United Nations Development Programme

DONORS

Foreign,Commonwealth & Dev.Off.

GOVERNMENT OF NETHERLANDS

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$2,679,796

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2020$218

2021$465,667

2022$661,814

2023$190,108

Full Project information