This paper is an attempt to draw attention to practical ideas while putting aside ideological limitations in the Western Balkans for the purpose of improving security and prosperity of the entire region. It proposes a useful and powerful tool forward that both Western Balkan leaders and the EU can use. Not long ago, the Balkans was Europe’s most volatile region. After the collapse of the communist bloc in Eastern Europe, ethnic rivalries in Yugoslavia turned the country into one the bloodiest battlefields in Europe. Since, everything has changed. Slovenia and Croatia have become full members of the European Union and other countries aspire the same. At the same time, perpetually…

Prepared within the TRAIN 2014 project implemented by DGAP, this policy brief examines the triangular relationships among the civil society organisations, the citizens and the government as key actors in achieving participatory, inclusive and responsible democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within the 2014 TRAIN Programme (Think Tanks Providing Research and Advice through Interaction and Networking), implemented by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and sponsored by the German Foreign Office (Stability Pact for South East Europe), we examine the complex triangular relationships between civil society organisations, citizens and the governement as the key actors in achieving participative, inclusive and responsible democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This policy brief seeks…

Through a story of (non) implementation of the animal protection and welfare policy in the Sarajevo Canton, we illustrated the imperfections of governance in BiH – not only in Sarajevo, but also in Mostar, Zenica, Travnik and all other towns and systems that are in the state of collapse. This is a story of the effects of good and bad state governance… ‘Good governance’ is one of the most commonly used and heard buzzwords in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Aside from the likes of reconciliation, rule of law or constitutional reform, it has been one of the focuses of reforms, interventions and donor activities for much of the country’s 20…