Sectors	Environment
EU Acquis Chapters	Environment
EU funds	84 469 €
Implementation period	2010 - 2024
Categories	(Mouse hover to see significance)

Environment is a high ranking issue on the European agenda and increasingly so with regard to its interventions in BiH. The BiH and the European Unions' strategic documents stress the importance of proper implementation of the environmental acquis. While the official responsibility for compliance lies with the BiH authorities, the NGO community has a very important role to complement the work of the administration by signalling infractions, collecting of information, coordinating the pilot project and educating citizens about their rights and obligations. BiH environmental NGOs have developed considerably over the past decade. Further support to their capacity building and know how improvements has been recognised as valuable for their becoming full and complementary partners of the administration in implementation of the environmental acquis. The European Union has recognised those needs, and provided series of development projects to contribute to encouragement of the partnership between governmental and non-governmental sectors with the aim of effective implementation of EU standards in environment in BiH. In that respect, this European Union project aimed at enhancing opportunities for cooperation and exchange between civil society organizations and local and regional self-governments by way of capacity-building workshops, including building up local capacities by training of local trainers. Specifically, it also provided for taking EU waste and water legislation as priority topics for capacity-building and presenting good practice suitable for Bosnia and Herzegovina from other European countries.

With the European Union funding, this project had a significant impact on increasing capacity of local civil society organisations and representatives of municipalities on EU water and waste legislation with a specific focus on public participation. We also established a network of the non-governmental sector and particularly local authorities as well as other levels of authorities to work jointly on successful implementation of EU standards in waste and water legislation. The project improved knowledge and know-how of municipalities and civil society via experience exchange from the EU Member states (the Netherlands) in better waste and water policy and treatment. By such actions, we provided for more community based responsible environmental management and protection and more responsible public environment treatment. It also ensured better promotion of the country's environmental protection and natural resources.