Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in 2016 and was granted candidate status in December 2022. In March 2024 EU leaders gave the greenlight to open accession negotiations, once Bosnia and Herzegovina achieves the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria.
In the inception phase, initial discussions were held, and regular needs assessments are guiding the ongoing preparation of technical expertise. The K4R Programme, in collaboration with the EU and the UN Country Team addresses the beneficiary's unique needs while ensuring there is no duplication of efforts.
Following the support provided by the K4R Programme, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Directorate for EU Integration (DEI) has received a valuable preparatory input for the Programme of Integration of BiH into the EU (NPAA) and opening of accession negotiations. Additionally, the K4R Programme organized several workshops for the members of Working groups for European integration in order to prepare BiH institutions for bilateral screening This support, which includes knowledge-sharing from other Western Balkan countries, aims to help the country quickly capitalize on its recently granted candidate status and opening of accession negotiations. Furthermore, in the context of the EU-funded NetZeroCities project, which supports European cities to drastically cut down greenhouse gas emissions through climate action to achieve ‘climate neutrality’, the Programme provides technical advisory assistance in the development of a Citizens Assembly strategy, as well as in the process of improving mobility linkages and bus service electrification for Sarajevo - East Sarajevo.
In conclusion, the Knowledge for Reform Action (K4R) Programme has been instrumental in supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration efforts, providing tailored technical expertise at crucial stages of its accession process. By strengthening the country's EU coordination mechanism and aiding the Directorate for EU Integration (DEI) with the screening, K4R has positioned Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively leverage its newly granted candidate status. The Programme’s involvement in initiatives like the NetZeroCities project, which advances climate action and urban mobility improvements, further demonstrates its comprehensive approach in aligning Bosnia and Herzegovina with EU standards and sustainability goals.
