Initiative for Local Authorities Presented Research Results

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In Sarajevo, the results of the Initiative for Local Authorities were presented, which over the past nine months conducted research on the functioning of local authorities throughout BiH.

The presentation of the findings of the Initiative for Local Authorities was attended by the Ambassador of Switzerland to BiH Andrea Rauber Saxer, members of the Joint Commission, Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Fadil Novalić, as well as numerous other government representatives from Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- We have come to some interesting findings; the problems are very similar in both entities, perhaps the way problems are approached can be different, but generally, the solution for everyone is to try to find a way for better management of systems in the economic development of the local community, a better way of financing local communities by higher levels of government, but also financing from the private sector – said Mladen Milanović, head of the project initiated by the Embassy of Switzerland in BiH and USAID.

The Ambassador of Switzerland to BiH Andrea Rauber Saxer stated that, although her country is not an EU member, it has great experience in solving the problems of local community functioning that should be shared with others.

The Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Lars Gunnar Wigemark told politicians that they should talk more about the problems of citizens in the local community during the election campaign, because he is convinced that citizens would prefer to hear about concrete matters rather than ethnic and national divisions.

- I came to the federal level from a successful local community, and we said let's do something positive and transfer some positive things to a higher level, although it should be the other way around – said the Prime Minister of the FBiH Fadil Novalić.

One of the most important conclusions of the Joint Commission for Local Authorities is the problem of financing municipalities, and, as they pointed out, this system must be changed, and funds should be of a developmental, not just consumptive nature.