LocationsPartnerships for Inclusive Democracy: Institutions and Citizens Leading Change
September 15, 2025
On this year’s International Day of Democracy, we are reminded that democracy is about everyday participation, cooperation of institutions and civil society, and equal opportunities for women and men to influence decisions that shape their lives.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is working with a wide network of international and domestic partners, the European Union, Sweden, the Government of Switzerland, the Government of the Czech Republic, and the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and institutions at state, entity, cantonal, municipal and local community levels, to turn this principle into reality. Together, we are committed to supporting inclusive, transparent and accountable governance, where every voice counts.
Local democracy in practice
Through the Municipal Environmental Governance Project (MEG), financed by the Government of Switzerland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and European Union, 41 municipalities are improving governance and service delivery. Citizens are involved directly through scorecards and participatory budgeting processes, with more than 100,000 people, nearly half of them women, influencing local priorities. As part of MEG, the eCitizen application has been introduced as a pioneering tool that connects people directly with their elected officials, making communication more transparent and responsive across the country.
The Mjesne Zajednice Programme (MZ), financed by Sweden and the Government of Switzerland, has brought democracy even closer to citizens for almost a decade. By revitalising close to 200 local community councils, the programme has enabled more than 60,000 people to shape local development, with youth and women at the forefront.
Dialogue, trust, and civic space
The Dialogue for the Future 3 (DFF3) joint programme, implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO, with support from the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and in partnership with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has strengthened democratic participation by creating meaningful spaces for dialogue. Fourteen Local Dialogue Platforms were organised across 10 partner communities, engaging 105 participants in discussions on local priorities and building bridges of trust.
Beyond the community level, two Vertical Dialogue Platforms placed young people at the centre of national and regional debates. The first, dedicated to the theme of Culture, was held within the international conference “Mostar 2025: Dialogue for the Future”, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH in cooperation with UNESCO, and brought together close to 200 participants in Mostar. The second, focused on environment, took place at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the regional conference "Climate Change – Challenges of Future Prosperity", organised by Sarajevo Film Festival and the Green Club with support from UNDP, and gathered 130 participants. Both platforms were designed as youth panels, ensuring that young people had the opportunity to share their perspectives, exchange ideas, and take part in shaping decisions that influence their vision of a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
At the same time, the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD), funded by the European Union, has introduced transparent and fair mechanisms for financing civil society. Across Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than 450 CSO projects have been supported in 31 municipalities, strengthening civic space and ensuring citizens’ organisations can hold institutions accountable.
An example from Bihać shows how the new models for awarding and monitoring the implementation of civil society organisations' projects have improved the quality of life for all. Through various internships in cities and municipalities, ReLOaD has also ensured inclusion of youth in the decision-making processes, helping them develop their skills and build a brighter future for their communities.
Jovana Vučinić, who was engaged in the City of Istočno Sarajevo, describes her experience as a catalyst for building a better life in her community: „This has provided me with an excellent personal, professional and social opportunity to improve life in my local community through my personal involvement. I am grateful to be part of a team that is involved in building sustainable democratic institutions, strengthening good governance and human rights principles, and supporting the development of a multinational and multi-ethnic democratic society that ensures respect for every human being.”
Democracy grows stronger with partners
The progress achieved through UNDP-led projects is above all a result of domestic institutions and civil society organisations working together. From the Presidency of BiH, state, entity, cantonal and municipal governments, to local community councils, institutions are working alongside citizens’ organisations to open spaces for participation, ensure accountability, and build trust in democratic processes. International partners such as the European Union, Sweden, the Governments of Switzerland and the Czech Republic, and the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund provide valuable support, but the real momentum comes from domestic leadership and civic engagement. Together, they show that democracy grows stronger when institutions and citizens act as partners in shaping the country’s future.
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