Gacko’s first consultation meeting charts sustainable pathways from Indigenous cattle to Kajmak

The first meeting took place on 30 March in Gacko, bringing together representatives from public, private, academic and non-governmental sectors to discuss sustainable development priorities for the municipality. During the consultation, experts presented measures, goals and timelines for each pathway: decarbonization, circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable agriculture and nature and biodiversity protection. These pathways provide a foundation for planning actions in the short term (three years), medium term (until 2035) and long term (up to 2050).

Gacko’s development: Reflections and future vision

Vukota Govedarica, Mayor of Gacko, reflected on the municipality’s development, noting that although Gacko has achieved significant progress in the electro-energy sector, long-term perspectives beyond heavy industry were not fully considered in the 1980s. Today, with the support of Stockholm Environment Institute and the BiH SuTra project, the municipality is ready to advance strategically, focusing on agriculture, tourism, environmental protection and circular economy initiatives.

“The development of Gacko can be directed towards agriculture, particularly through the improvement of milk and meat production and the valorization of local Indigenous resources. In Gacko, we have the native Gacko cattle breed, historically established during the Austro-Hungarian period by crossbreeding Alpine and local Gacko cattle, and we must fully harness this potential. At the same time, it is important to link agriculture with tourism, where significant opportunities exist, especially in rural and transit tourism. A special focus should also be placed on environmental protection—both through the improvement of municipal waste management systems and by ensuring a more responsible approach from heavy industry towards the local community, given our close proximity to mining operations. Circular economy presents a major opportunity, and at this moment, I can confirm that we aim to be the first in Republika Srpska to demonstrate the interest and commitment to undertake a substantial circular economy project already in 2026,” Govedarica explained.

 Sustainable agriculture

Samir Husić, BiH SuTra expert on sustainable agriculture, highlighted Gacko’s potential in the sector, particularly in livestock, with a focus on the Indigenous Gacko cattle breed. He also emphasized the importance of sheep farming, noting that the region plays a significant role in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s overall sheep production, which should guide the future development of the municipality’s agricultural activities.

“A key characteristic of Gacko is its extensive livestock farming, which is largely shaped by natural conditions. For this reason, protecting grasslands and pastures used for grazing is of great importance. In addition, there are opportunities for developing crop production, as well as fruit growing and viticulture, which can further contribute to diversifying and strengthening the agricultural sector in Gacko,” Husić explained.

Preserving heritage: The story of Gacko Kajmak

At the event, Dragana Milović from the Association of Gacko Kajmak Producers was also present. The association brings together women from the area engaged in dairy production, primarily the traditional Gacko kajmak, widely recognized for its quality.

“The Association of Gacko Kajmak Producers brings together women from this area who are engaged in dairy production, primarily the traditional Gacko kajmak, widely recognized for its quality. The association was established in 2021 with the aim of protecting this product, which has since received official designation of origin status at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A further step was taken last year with the submission of an application to the European Commission for protection at the European Union level, and we expect confirmation in the coming period. This protected product holds multiple benefits for the local community – it strengthens the region’s identity and supports the development of rural tourism. In this way, it attracts visitors, especially those interested in authentic, locally produced food. Gacko kajmak is exactly such a product – entirely homemade, created and preserved within the rural traditions of this area,” Milović shared.

By combining expert guidance on sustainable livestock production with initiatives like the Gacko kajmak association, the consultations underscored how local agriculture can simultaneously preserve heritage, strengthen the economy, and promote rural tourism.

Next steps in the Transition plans

The first drafts of the Transition Plans for the newly joined local communities are expected by June 2026, providing a solid foundation for developing measures across short-, medium- and long-term timeframes. Following this initial phase, a second round of consultation events will be organized in early June to further refine the plans with local stakeholders. The finalization of the Transition Plans for the municipalities of Gacko and Kakanj, as well as the City of Gradiška, is scheduled for September 2026, ensuring that the plans reflect both expert guidance and local priorities.

The consultation process will continue in the coming days, with the next meeting scheduled in Kakanj on 1 April, followed by Gradiška on 3 April, promoting a participatory and inclusive approach to shaping sustainable local development pathways across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BiH SuTra project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute.