EU funded projects in BiH

Sectors
EU Acquis chapters	Agriculture and rural development
Programme Funding Year	2007, 2008, 2009
Value	€3,022,604
Periods of implementation	2009, 2010, 2012
Locations	BANOVIĆI, GRAČANICA, GRADAČAC, KALESIJA, KLADANJ, LUKAVAC, SREBRENIK, TUZLA, ŽIVINICE, ČELIĆ, DOBOJ-ISTOK, SAPNA, TEOČAK, BANJA LUKA, BIJELJINA, BILEĆA, KOZARSKA DUBICA, GRADIŠKA, BROD, NOVI GRAD, ŠAMAC, BRATUNAC, ČAJNIČE, ČELINAC, DERVENTA, DOBOJ, GACKO, HAN PIJESAK, KALINOVIK, KOTOR VAROŠ, LAKTAŠI, LOPARE, LJUBINJE, MODRIČA, MRKONJIĆ GRAD, NEVESINJE, PRIJEDOR, PRNJAVOR, ROGATICA, RUDO, KNEŽEVO, SOKOLAC, SRBAC, SREBRENICA, ŠEKOVIĆI, ŠIPOVO, TESLIĆ, TREBINJE, UGLJEVIK, VIŠEGRAD, VLASENICA, ZVORNIK, SARAJEVO-CENTAR, HADŽIĆI, ILIDŽA, ILIJAŠ, SARAJEVO-NOVI GRAD, NOVO SARAJEVO, SARAJEVO-STARI GRAD, TRNOVO (FBiH), VOGOŠĆA, GRUDE, ŠIROKI BRIJEG, LJUBUŠKI, POSUŠJE, ČAPLJINA, ČITLUK, JABLANICA, KONJIC, NEUM, PROZOR, STOLAC, RAVNO, ODŽAK, ORAŠJE, DOMALJEVAC-ŠAMAC, BIHAĆ, BOSANSKA KRUPA, BOSANSKI PETROVAC, CAZIN, KLJUČ, SANSKI MOST, VELIKA KLADUŠA, BUŽIM, BOSANSKO GRAHOVO, TOMISLAVGRAD, GLAMOČ, KUPRES, LIVNO, DRVAR, BUGOJNO, BUSOVAČA, DONJI VAKUF, FOJNICA, GORNJI VAKUF - USKOPLJE, JAJCE, KISELJAK, KREŠEVO, NOVI TRAVNIK, TRAVNIK, VITEZ, DOBRETIĆI, FOČA - USTIKOLINA, GORAŽDE, PALE - PRAČA, FOČA, BREZA, KAKANJ, MAGLAJ, OLOVO, TEŠANJ, VAREŠ, VISOKO, ZAVIDOVIĆI, ZENICA, ŽEPČE, DOBOJ - JUG, USORA, PALE, BRČKO, BERKOVIĆI, NOVO GORAŽDE, DONJI ŽABAR, ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, ISTOČNI DRVAR, ISTOČNI MOSTAR, ISTOČNI STARI GRAD, ISTOČNO NOVO SARAJEVO, JEZERO, KOSTAJNICA, KRUPA NA UNI, KUPRES (RS), MILIĆI, MOSTAR, OSMACI, OŠTRA LUKA, PELAGIĆEVO, PETROVAC, PETROVO, RIBNIK, STANARI, TRNOVO (RS), VUKOSAVLJE, LUKAVICA, USTIPRAČA

Stable supplies of healthy and safe food at economically favourable prices is a goal of the EU. To obtain it, there is also a need to ensure safe, healthy environmentally preserved rural areas enjoying a good quality of life. For the EU and BiH there are many challenges to achieve these goals: the effects of the financial crisis, global competition and climate change to name a few. Chapter 11 of the acquis represents one of the most important policies of the EU and provides for requirements and standards that should be met in order to respond to the above challenges, for the benefit of the Union and its citizens. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to build up a country wide, harmonised policy for agriculture and rural development and efficient implementation mechanisms for the benefit of its farmers, supporting their productivity and competitiveness. At the same time it should ensure a good quality of life in rural areas and should preserve rural communities. The EU remains committed to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in reaching these objectives. So far, IPA has provided 3.5 MEUR to strengthen the administrative capacities of the competent institutions in BiH, improve legislation and operating systems (e.g. payment, information, monitoring and evaluation etc.). All of this has also been carried out in the light of preparations for setting up in BiH the structures and legal framework that will enable the country in the future to access IPA Rural Development (IPA RD) funds. To do that the country will need to be in a position to take over the management and implementation of the EU funds in a manner fully compliant with the EU standards for example in legislation, planning, quality control among others. While much has been accomplished, there is still much to be achieved, in particular when it comes to the bodies to manage the 'IPA RD' funds; a country wide sector strategy; a consolidated legal framework and efficient agriculture information systems. The absence of a country wide sector development strategy and agreed and established IPARD system now prevent further sector progress and use of IPA II funds.

1. Upgraded policies: sectoral studies on meat, diary, wine, cereal and fruits and vegetables produced and handed over to the BiH competent institutions for improvements of their strategies and development programmes. See: http://www.fao.org/europe/publications/documents-and-reports/ipard-bih Sector studies may also be taken as precursors of IPA RD programming, once it becomes available to Bosnia and Herzegovina. These studies analyse the existing data gaps in the present policies, identify weaknesses and sector concerns as well as advantages and opportunities for development potential. There are two more studies related to Fishery and Forestry sectors being currently under preparations and they are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015. 2. Reinforced legal framework: the current Law on Agriculture and Rural Development enforced in 2008 has been designed with support of IPA technical assistance projects, including many other related legal analyses, operational/action plans etc. 3. Strengthened information systems: agriculture information strategy has been developed and a pilot agricultural survey has been performed, as preparatory testing of the agricultural census that is yet to be undertaken. Supplies of IT and related equipment procured and handed over to relevant payment structures within the country’s competent authorities based on which, functionality and efficiency of these services have been reinforced. 4. Strengthened administrative capacities: a number of trainings, study tours to the EU Member States and workshops have been carried out for staff of the country’s competent institutions in various aspects of the sector policy and implementation, which provided for the transfer of knowledge and skills improvements. Also, a dialogue with non-state and civil society actors has been enabled under applicable project forums and networks.