Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

An example of good practice

The Perucica primeval forest located within the Sutjeska National Park is the largest and best conserved old growth forest in Europe and is declared as a strict natural reserve. This resulted in the inclusion of Perucica on the Tentative List of Bosnia and Herzegovina registered with the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO in 2017.

An example of good practice through partnership

Via Dinarica is a regional project funded by UNDP and USAID. It is a Platform for Sustainable Tourism Development and Local Economic Growth. The aim of the project is to connect the countries and local communities along the Via Dinarica Trails through the creation of a single and diverse tourism asset. The Via Dinarica project promotes tourism for the purpose of economic development of the region, along with the protection of the environment and respect for the sociocultural diversity and authenticity of local communities. Phase II of the project covers the period 2018–2021 and places emphasis on strengthening the project as an internationally recognized platform for local economic growth and the increased participation of location communities in maintaining and developing the platform. Mountain trails have been mapped and accommodation capacities built. The project has received significant international recognition.

An example of good practice through partnership

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Republika Srpska, is implementing a five-year ‘Green Economic Development’ project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The goal of the project is to reduce public expenditure on energy and water supply and to create favorable conditions for investing in infrastructure and energy efficiency measures whilst at the same time creating green jobs.

An example of good practice

The Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Republika Srpska carry out activities related to fund raising, financing the purchase of equipment, implementing and developing programs and projects in the areas of conservation, sustainable usage, improved protection of the environment and energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The approved projects were implemented mainly at the local level by the municipalities and local institutions, private businesses and civil society organizations. Of the 71 projects approved by the Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of 2018 a total of 8 projects were devoted to raising awareness about the conservation of nature and were implemented by privately owned media outlets and non-governmental organizations. As of the end of 2017, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of Republika Srpska had signed a total of 107 contracts on investment in programs, projects and other activities related to the development of the system of integrated management of packaging waste in local self-government units and utility companies as well as on the protection of water sources, watercourses and coastal areas.