Through the SDG2BiH programme, institutions, communities and businesses across Bosnia and Herzegovina moved from planning sustainable development to implementing concrete initiatives that improve people’s lives.
Bosnia and Herzegovina continues strengthening its efforts to translate the Sustainable Development Goals into concrete development results. Over the past four years, the programme “Translating the Sustainable Development Goals Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina into Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (SDG2BiH)” supported institutions, local governments, businesses and communities in turning the SDG framework into practical policies and initiatives that improve people’s lives.
Implemented by UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with UNICEF, UN Women and IOM, and financed by the Government of Sweden, the programme helped strengthen governance systems and partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth across the country.
One of the programme’s key achievements was strengthening institutional coordination around sustainable development. In 2023, the SDG Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formally appointed by the Council of Ministers, establishing a platform for policy coordination across institutions and levels of government. The country also presented its Second Voluntary National Review at the UN High-Level Political Forum following a broad consultation process involving civil society organizations and young people.
Progress was also made in aligning financing with sustainable development priorities. In 2024, authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina endorsed the SDG Financing Framework, creating a foundation for mobilizing investments that support sustainable and inclusive growth.
The programme also demonstrated how the SDG agenda can translate into tangible improvements across communities and businesses. Participation in the SDG Business Pioneers Award expanded significantly, growing from 85 companies in 2022 to 484 companies by 2025, with many introducing measures to reduce plastic use, improve energy efficiency and lower emissions. At the local level, 14 initiatives worth more than BAM 2.1 million introduced 13 new or improved public services, benefiting more than 43,000 citizens and preparing 11 infrastructure projects for future investment. Innovative care economy models also expanded social services while creating economic opportunities for women, with 217 caregivers certified and 49 formal jobs created across 18 communities.
These results were made possible through strong partnerships between institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations system and international partners. Sweden’s consistent support played a central role in enabling the SDG2BiH programme to pilot new approaches, strengthen cooperation across institutions and demonstrate how the Sustainable Development Goals can be translated into concrete development initiatives.
Building on this progress, the United Nations system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is launching the Joint Programme “Accelerating Agenda 2030 through Governance and Sustainable Growth (2030 BiH)”. The initiative represents a new portfolio-based approach to supporting sustainable development in the country, bringing together several UN agencies under the coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator and creating a platform capable of mobilizing support from a broader range of development partners.
“Accelerating Agenda 2030 through Governance and Sustainable Growth (2030 BiH)” is a Joint Programme of the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP, ILO, IOM, and UNICEF, under the coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator. Through this joint effort, the United Nations and its partners will continue supporting institutions, businesses and communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and advance sustainable and inclusive growth across the country.
