LocationsTransforming Communities through Green Action for People and Planet
Building a Healthier Future
April 16, 2025
Cleaner Air, Safer Energy, and Better Living
Across Sarajevo Canton, there are a growing number of examples that show how sustainable investments are contributing to cleaner air, more efficient energy use, and a better quality of life.
At the heart of these initiatives is the Green Economic Development (GED) project - a flagship programme implemented by UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina with support from Sweden. With a strategic focus on reducing air pollution, improving energy efficiency, and fostering green jobs, the GED project has mobilized over 30 million KM in Sarajevo Canton alone - delivering tangible results for people, institutions, and the environment.
One of the recent milestones is the reconstruction of the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of Sarajevo - a project that has not only modernized over 4,000 square meters of space but also reshaped the learning environment for more than 1,000 future healthcare professionals. The state-of-the-art facility, soon to be powered by a 23-kW solar plant, features smart ventilation, heating via heat pumps, and dedicated labs for health and safety research. It stands as a beacon of what sustainable, forward-thinking investment in public infrastructure can achieve.
Modernized and energy-efficient building of the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of Sarajevo
Sulejman Omerbašić
But this is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
More than 500 households in Canton Sarajevo have replaced coal and other solid fuel furnaces with certified alternatives and heat pumps, reducing harmful emissions while cutting household energy costs. A Strategy for reduction of coal and other solid fuel usage has been adopted for the 2023–2033 period, laying the foundation for a healthier and cleaner urban environment.
Amra Gačić from the Škaljin Sokak neighborhood in Sarajevo
Adnan Bubalo
Eighty-five of the Canton’s public sector buildings have undergone energy-efficient retrofitting, supported by 65 detailed energy audits and a total investment of over 15 million KM. The results speak for themselves: an average energy savings of 59%, annual CO₂ emission reductions of 4,100 tons, and improved comfort for nearly 30,000 people. This green wave is creating jobs, too – 329 green jobs to be exact - proving that environmental sustainability and economic opportunity can go hand in hand.
„Vladislav Skarić“ Elementary school in Sarajevo
Vanja Čerimagić
Data-Driven Transformation
A major leap forward came with the launch of the new Register of Air Emissions and the Information System of Air Pollutants in Sarajevo Canton, jointly presented by the Ministry of Municipal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton, UNDP, and Sweden. Developed by a consortium of local companies, this two-year initiative provides an unprecedented level of insight into the sources and levels of air pollution across Canton.
Using cutting-edge methodologies and GIS-based technology, over 100,000 individual emission sources were processed, covering sectors like household heating, industry, traffic, and agriculture. For the first time, data on pollutants such as PM10, SO₂, and NOx can be viewed on a 100x100 meter resolution spatial grid, enabling a precise understanding of pollution hotspots.
A new interactive web platform will soon be publicly available, giving citizens, institutions, and the media access to spatial and statistical emission data - making Sarajevo one of the most transparent and scientifically equipped urban areas in the region when it comes to air quality management.
The Register will also serve as a crucial foundation for implementing the Canton’s A Strategy for reduction of coal and other solid fuels usage and prioritize cleaner heating options - ensuring that future environmental policies are based on evidence, not assumptions.
A presentation of the Register of Air Emissions and the Information System of Air Pollutants in Sarajevo Canton
Imrana Kapetanović
Changing Everyday Lives
GED’s impact is visible in daily life, too. Public lighting has been upgraded to energy-efficient systems across major public spaces, covering key routes in Sarajevo from Vijećnica to Ilidža and from Skenderija to Vogošća. LED lighting now brightens the Hum TV Tower and Dariva promenade, enhancing public safety while reducing energy consumption.
A pilot school in Gora, Ilijaš - retrofitted with natural materials such as wood and sheep wool, stands as the first of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrating how innovation can go hand in hand with tradition.
Visit to retrofitted school in Gora, Ilijaš
Vanja Čerimagić
A Vision Realized Through Partnership
At every step, this transformation is the result of strong partnerships and a shared vision – between the Government of Sarajevo Canton, the Academia, UNDP, and Sweden.
From modernized classrooms to cleaner air, from empowered citizens to smarter cities – this initiative represents a clear roadmap for green transition and a path toward a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for Sarajevo Canton.
Lights of Sarajevo