The SDG Council initiated regional meetings with local government units to address the localization of the SDGs. This process has been successfully implemented in nearly one third of all local communities in BiH thus far. Municipalities and cities were requested to complete a specially designed questionnaire that provided initial insights into their progress in SDG implementation and integration into strategic documents. Stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, and academia were encouraged to participate, including dialogues with prominent university centers across the country.
The localization is seen as a way to help municipalities better understand the SDGs and develop projects to improve accessibility of all types of services for vulnerable groups and citizens.
Additionally, it was important for the Council members to understand community-specific challenges, raise awareness about Agenda 2030, facilitate exchange of best practices among communities, encourage horizontal cooperation locally, and foster international collaboration with twin towns.
A key goal of these activities is to establish regular communication between the Council and representatives of the local communities to enhance efficiency of SDG implementation on the ground. Understanding challenges and hindrances encountered by local communities in the pursuit of SDG implementation is crucial. This knowledge enables experts to offer valuable advice and support in formulating projects aligned with international standards, as well as assisting in securing the required funding for their execution.
Through a comprehensive survey conducted in approximately one-third of the country’s local communities, obstacles and bottlenecks hindering sustainable development have been identified. As a result, key priorities for sustainable development have been established, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and initiatives.
