Municipality of Kakanj. Courtesy of Municipality of Kakanj.
Municipality of Kakanj. Courtesy of Municipality of Kakanj.
The Municipality of Kakanj is one of seven local communities participating in the BiH SuTra project. Following a year-long preparatory process, including public consultations earlier in 2026, Kakanj has officially adopted its Operational Plan for Sustainable Transition. This is a concrete step toward reshaping how the municipality aims to improve the environment and quality of life for its residents. Kakanj's plan is also aligned with the EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and addresses the particular challenges facing municipalities in mining regions.
Organised around five key development pathways - decarbonization, circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable agriculture, and nature protection and biodiversity - the plan establishes long-term, medium-term, and short-term objectives. Each pathway includes a set of prioritised measures with estimated costs. The Municipality of Kakanj has identified measures for implementation during 2027–2029, focusing on the development of a sustainable district heating system, sustainable and decarbonized transport, improved water supply, the protection and restoration of agricultural soil, and the protection and monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems.
“Adopting the Transition Plan for the 2027–2029 period is an important step for the Municipality of Kakanj and confirms our commitment to steering the development of our local community towards a more sustainable and brighter future. The Plan provides us with a clear framework for concrete actions that can contribute to environmental protection, improving the quality of life of our citizens, and creating new opportunities for local economic development. I believe that, by working together, we can build a more sustainable and prosperous future for Kakanj.” - Mirnes Bajtarević, Mayor of the Municipality of Kakanj.
The BiH SuTra project (Sustainable Transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina), implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in partnership with the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MoFTER BiH) and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), will provide support in implementing selected measures following the adoption of the operational three-year plans, in line with applicable legal regulations.
"Kakanj's adoption of this operational plan is an important milestone for the municipality and for the BiH SuTra project. Communities in mining regions face a particular set of challenges as economic dependencies and environmental pressures need to be addressed together. The process Kakanj has gone through reflects a genuine engagement with that complexity, resulting in a solid foundation for concrete action and continued progress", said Sanjin Avdić, BiH SuTra Senior Project Coordinator.
BiH SuTra aims to foster a more sustainable society and improve environmental and living conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, charting a course through long-term, medium-term, and short-term goals via participative and comprehensive planning processes. The project engages seven cities and municipalities across Bosnia and Herzegovina: Municipality of Banovići, Municipality of Breza, Municipality of Ugljevik, City of Živinice, Municipality of Gacko, City of Gradiška, and Municipality of Kakanj.
Let this effort inspire other regions across BiH to learn, take action, and create positive change themselves.
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