Bosnia and Herzegovina

24.01.2006 B&H citiznes need visas to enter 173 countries in the world, so that the figure released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the citizens spent over 50 million KM on visa fees in 2005 should come as no surprise.

20.01.2006 The Ombudspersons of the B&H Federation, Vera Jovanovic, Esad Muhibic and Branka Raguz, reccomended the Federal Ministry of ducation and all cantonal education ministries in the Federation to secure free access to primary healthcare to all university and high school students, a right guaranteed by the federal Law on Healthcare.

20.01.2006 Confirming success of the second phase, European Union granted 4 million Euro for continuation of SUTRA (Sustainable Transfer to Return-Related Authorities) Programme, implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina by UNDP. Third phase of SUTRA (Support to Result-oriented Approach) PLOD (Partnership for Local Development) shall rely on experience gained through implementation of the first two phases as well as replicating the co-financing model with national authorities with the aim to double the existing budget with their matching contribution.

18.01.2006 The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H published its 2005 annual report which presents, among other, disturbing findings on prevalent ethnic discrimination in the country, especially in the field of labour legislation.

17.01.2006 The “Resource Centre” Project of the B&H Centre for Promotion of Civil Society will make direct contribution to the establishment of vital and sustainable civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over 2000 CSOs, business and governmental organizations from all parts of B&H and the region will be able to use the services of the newly established Resource Centre, thus expanding their know-how and strengthen their capacity.

13.01.2006 On January 5, 2006, a GROZD (Citizens Organizing for Democracy) debate was organized at the Public Culture Centre in Kakanj, to discuss the current situation and developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and identify the greatest problems they face.

12.01.2006 Reporters and journalists from the print media in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro are invited to apply for participation in a five-month course for specialization in investigative journalism on the topic of organized crime. The programme involves distance learning courses and work on topical stories during the regular daily work, combined with short workshops in Sarajevo. The deadline for application for the Class of 2006 expires on January 23, 2006.

11.01.2006 The Young Researchers of Banja Luka, in partnership with the Ecco Team from Sarajevo and the Tuzla Centre for Environment and Energy, started the “Civil Society Local Level Environmental Initiative - SEAL” project, supported by the EU through the CARDS ENR Programme.

10.01.2006 For over a year now the EUPM’s Press and Public Information Department has trained and advised the spokespersons of the BiH police forces on all aspects of their work. As a result the first ever jointly planned and implemented PI campaign is about to kick off in January 2006.

09.01.2006 The European Scout Region started a new youth project in the Southeast Europe – the Hajde! Project. The key topic of this new project is the “Youth and Local Development”. This project aims at assisting the youth in the SEE to increase their contributions to the development of their respective local communities.