Chapter 6: Country Reports
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Introduction
In the fall of 1996, the REC conducted a fact-finding mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This mission clearly showed the disastrous state of environmental protection in this war-ravaged country, where military violence has created and exacerbated environmental problems that are not being addressed systematically or adequately. Environmental issues are not currently at the top of the country's priority list, although they have been mentioned in some reconstruction projects, and government ministries are still fragmented. For example, the central government in Sarajevo actually has jurisdiction only over the Muslim part of the federation, while the Croatian area appears to be ruled indirectly from Zagreb, and the Serbian part (Republika Srpska) understands themselves to be independent. Although many government workers have good intentions, much of the government infrastructure is still incomplete. Environmental legislation is forthcoming but doubts exist on whether it can be implemented and enforced in the short term. The government of BiH is willing to sign the REC's charter, at least in principle, but this may take some time.
Before the war, environmental NGOs worked in all of BiH's large urban centers, and they were organized on several different levels, from local and municipal groups to regional and national associations. The government of BiH regularly supported the work of these associations, as well the work of some agricultural organizations. Their actions and programs were also funded by local governments, municipalities, businesses and social organizations. There was a certain level of cooperation between NGOs and governmental bodies, and with certain agricultural, health, scientific, and religious institutions, and environmental NGOs enjoyed a certain amount of success before hostilities broke out. NGOs contributed to programs and decisions that had environmental implications, and they cooperated with educational organizations to create holistic programs with a strong environmental component. Cooperation with the media was also fairly well developed.
During the war the majority of NGOs stopped operating. However, some groups did continue their work. One group, Una's Emeralds, from Bihac, continued its work even in the most difficult times of the war. They received the UNESCO "Global 500" Award for their contribution to environmental protection, which they subsequently returned to protest UNESCO's ineptness toward the suffering and destruction that took place in BiH. The Greens of Zenicia also continued to operate during the war, but their activities were constrained to the local level and were actually quite minimal. Two NGOs from Sarajevo, Fondeko and BETA, began operating in the second half of 1994 in an effort to contribute to the adequate and timely development of environmental protection and management in BiH. Unfortunately, organizational and financial struggles have allowed these NGOs to realize only a few of the goals listed in their plans.
Results of the Mail Questionnaires
Questionnaires were sent to 38 NGOs in Bosnia, but only ten surveys were completed and returned. About half of the groups (17) were either no longer active, currently dormant, or had moved to another location, bringing the number of active NGOs in the country to about 15. No personal interviews could be conducted in Bosnia, so it is difficult to generalize about the state of BiH's environmental movement from the limited mail survey data. However, some general conclusions can be made based on the available data and on the fact-finding mission conducted by the REC in 1996.
Organizational Characteristics
It is estimated that about half of BiH's environmental NGOs are located in Sarajevo. Three groups have up to 25 members while four have between 51 and 100 members. Three NGOs were created before 1980, with the rest created after 1990. Most NGOs define themselves as grassroots organizations or as associations of environmental professionals. Most NGOs operate at the local or regional level; only two stated they operate nationwide. Protest actions and education and training are the most common activities. Most NGOs have no paid staff.
Financial Status
Financial status and the size of annual budgets cover a wide range. The same is true for their reported sources of income.
Needs and Problems
The needs and problems mentioned above are so diverse that it is impossible to provide specific information except that all possible responses were chosen.
Cooperation
Cooperation with other NGOs in BiH is limited to exchanging information. Most cite occasional cooperation with government agencies.
Experience with the Regional Environmental Center
Since a REC Local Office does not currently operate in BiH, NGOs are not familiar with the REC and have not participated in any REC programs. However, they are willing to participate in future REC programs and activities if given the opportunity. Training in all areas, especially fund raising, strategic planning, networking and cooperation are perceived as necessary.
Conclusion
The environmental NGO community is in its infancy in BiH. With the financial support of the federal government, environmental NGOs in BiH should develop rapidly over the next few years, and their activities and influence should become more noticeable in both the social order and the decisionmaking process.
The REC plans to open a local office in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1998. As a first step, a REC local office coordinator will be hired in 1997. Initial duties will include arranging a meeting of key environmental actors in BiH to discuss the most pressing problems and methods to solve them. Second, the Local Office coordinator will make REC programs and activities available to all sectors of society and collect basic information about BiH for the NGO, government and business directories. The REC Local Office coordinator will also inform NGO members about the Junior Fellowship Program and government staff about the Senior Fellow Program. Finally, the REC Local Office coordinator will provide seed money for NGOs in the form of small grants.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * PROBLEMS, PROGRESS AND POSSIBILITIES * COUNTRY REPORTS
