After over four years of efforts of non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to see established mechanisms of cooperation between the government and the civil society sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BH and representative of a coalition of non-governmental organizations “To work and succeed together” was signed today. The non-governmental organizations said on this occasion that “Only the citizens will ultimately “profit” from this act!” (07-MAY-07)

This article is based on the Coalition „To work and succeed together“ press release, which has republicated here by HRH / Mirsad Pandzic.

A strong civil society is a very important condition for development of democracy in BH, without a strong and developed civil society, especially the organizations working for the common good of citizens, development of democracy would be impossible“, Ms Jane Nandy, the Head of the USAID Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina stressed.

Non-governmental organizations in BH
According to unofficial information, over 7,000 non-governmental organizations have been registered in BH, while it is estimated that over 1,200 of them are still active and are funded mostly by international donors.

„Today´s event is truly a historic moment for BH and for further development of democracy in this country. The European Union will continue to provide every kind of assistance, especially financial, for further development of the civil society sector in BH“, Mr Michael Docherty, the Head of the Department for Democratisation, Stabilization and Social Development in the EU Delegation, said and announced that the European Union would invest around three million euros in the coming period through two very important programmes of support for development of the civil society sector and democratisation.

Without signing of this agreement on institutional cooperation between the government and the civil society sector, their further development would be impossible. There have been many problems in work of non-governmental organizations, about which the public have not been informed so far.

Non-transparent and unequal treatment and financial assistance of the government are only some of the problems of non-governmental organizations in BH (only in 2004, non-governmental organizations were donated over 54 million KM by various government institutions, without clear procedures to ensure transparency and equality of all non-governmental organizations). Very often, non-governmental organizations which have been restricted by financial means, stopped performing the monitoring of government and pressure for increased effectiveness of its representatives and institutions, which led to a loss of essence of existence of non-governmental organizations with the main mission being „Common good of citizens“! It often happens that there is no or very little communication between the authorities and non-governmental organizations. This led to absence of a more active participation of citizens in creation of certain laws and strategies.

Support for the NGO sector
Support for signing of the agreement regulating institutional cooperation between the government and the civil society sector was also given by the High Representative of the international community in BH, Mr Christian Schwarz – Schilling, who said: „Signing of this agreement is an extremely important achievement both for the government and the civil society in this country. Through this agreement, the government is obliged to maintain partnership with the non-governmental sector, which can certainly be a good quality partner with experience and knowledge. We have waited for this agreement for almost two years, since when we have lobbied for its signing, and this agreement is particularly important for non-governmental organizations themselves, as they had launched the initiative for sigining of such an agreement“.
In all democratic countries, in launching of initiatives, laws or strategies by the authorities, a cooperation and consultation process with the civil society sector is established. This way, citizens become directly involved in creation of policies through non-governmental organizations.
All of these were reasons for launching of the initiative for establishment of institutional cooperation with the non-governmental sector. 

“For the NGO sector this agreement means recognition by the state. I hope this agreement will be followed by actions of the entities, cantons and municipalities in BH. Already in this moment, we can speak of over 40 municipalities in BH which have signed similar agreements at the local level. This agreement opens an opportunity for establishment of a true dialogue between the government, non-governmental organizations and citizens. By this agreement, the Council of Ministers recognized the independence of non-governmental organizations, among other things, their rights to express their positions related to monitoring, work and commenting on work of elected representative of the government, regardless of their financing“, Mr Fadil Šero, who was one of the signatories of the agreement on behalf of the coalition „To work and succeed together“, said.

The agreement between the Council of Ministers and the civil society sector in BH foresees establishment of all necessary institutions and procedures for cooperation with non-governmental organizations. The importance of this agreement is reflected in the fact that it contributes considerably to development of the civil society sector in BH.

„There is no strong society without a strong and developed civil society sector. I therefore urge  the entity, cantonal and municipal authorities to establish similar cooperation with the non-governmental sector“, Mr Nikola Špiriæ, chairman of the BH Council of Ministers, the signatory of the agreement on behalf of the BH government, stressed.

And what is the use of all this for citizens !?
For the first time in the recent history of BH, citizens have gained legitimate right to be directly involved, through non-governmental organizations, in creation and adoption of all important laws, strategies for local development and other initiatives.

This increases the need for greater civic activism, in order for the agreement not to be effected only „in writing“.

Let us not forget: „Politicians and government are not responsible in any country if the citizens are passive“!