A Q&A with the municipality of Breza

Meliha Beširević, coordinator of the BiH SuTra program and Assistant to the Mayor of the Municipality of Breza. Photo: Foto Moca studio.

What opportunities do you see that the Green Agenda of the Western Balkans can bring to the Municipality of Breza?

Economic growth within the framework of sustainable development and active participation in CO2 reduction are pivotal in our efforts to combat climate change and improve the quality of life for our citizens. The Green Agenda presents the residents of Breza Municipality with the opportunity to  embrace energy efficiency through renewable sources and prioritize nature over plastic consumption.

What is the primary motivation for the Municipality of Breza to participate in the BiH SuTra programme? What added value does the programme bring?

Our primary goal is decarbonization, aiming to prevent climate change and safeguard the well-being of our community by embracing change. Equally important is to foster citizen awareness about the imperative of sustainability, promoting a shift towards environmentally-driven, equitable, and greener economic growth and development.

How do you envision that the transition process becomes inclusive and considers the needs of all community members?

The municipality of Breza, in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute  team and with the active involvement of the field officer, will engage all segments of society through roundtable discussions, conferences and surveys.

How do you plan to engage and collaborate with local stakeholders, such as coal mines, businesses, residents, and community organizations, so that the transition brings benefits to all?

We aim to facilitate collaboration and engagement across various sectors by organizing joint sessions and inviting stakeholders to participate in working group consultations.

As part of the BiH SuTra programme, the preparation of the Transition Plan for the Municipality of Breza is underway. The plan will incorporate suggestions from community members gathered through an online survey. Could you provide insights into the current stage of the preparation of the Transition Plan, and share any challenges and opportunities encountered during this process?

The challenge lies in reaching a broad spectrum of citizens and maximizing their engagement in data collection. As an opportunity, we see the possibility to educate citizens about the importance of constructing an ecologically sustainable future, preserving nature and its resources, and addressing issues related to climate change mitigation and CO2 emission reduction.

Next steps for Breza in the BiH SuTra programme

By 1 July 2024, representatives of Breza Municipality will submit comments on the presented activities for each development pathway, contributing to the final document, the Transition Plan for the municipality.

The transition plans for all four local self-government units (Banovići, Breza, Živinice, and Ugljevik) is a comprehensive and participatory document focused on the vision of a more sustainable society. It includes ambitious but achievable long-term (until 2050), medium-term (until 2035), and short-term (3-year) goals and measures for improving environmental and living conditions in coal-rich regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.