“Citizens for Europe” is name of initiative run by local BiH NGOs, which opened the ground for an immediate response from all citizens of BiH in the EU integration process. For four years, some 67 NGOs, as members of this movement, have been working to contribute a stronger voice of civil society in this process and to ensure that the reform movement is in line with the public need.

This years Initiative is led by team of experts from the Association “Vesta” under the auspices of EU Special Representative in BIH, Ambassador Peter Sorensen and with the further support of the Kingdom of Sweden and SIDA.

“The process of European integration is important for each individual in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the fact that become actualized after Croatian EU Accession. With this Initiative, we want to provide the opportunity for everyone to make their voices heard, but also evoke a feeling that we all have an important role and responsibility in BiH society. Forum, which was created on our website, allows citizens to participate in the process of advocating for priority developments and to seek greater accountability of decision makers.“ said Amra Seleskovic, Initiative Co-ordinator. Three target sectors on which the Initiative is focused are – labour and employment, rural development and agriculture, and energy and environment. Data on the status and progress of these three sectors are regularly published on the Initiative’s website.

In the previous period, after consultation with hundreds of citizens, the network has defined some of the priorities and focus of this year’s activities in order to achieve changes in line with the SAA.

“At this point, we are involved in an intensive dialogue with decision-makers in order to achieve concrete results concerning measures to improve the efficiency of employment services, the adoption of the law on adult education in all cantons of FBiH, the development of institutional mechanisms for the involvement of civil society experts in the development of policies and strategies, rural development and agriculture, and other important issues“ she added.

In the coming period, the number of meetings, public debates, radio and TV shows on these and similar topics will be organized. All interested citizens can also contribute and give their opinion via website: www.gradjanizaeuropu.ba, FB page or Twitter account.