Municipality of Breza. Photo: Courtesy of Municipality of Breza.
Municipality of Breza. Photo: Courtesy of Municipality of Breza.
After a year-long preparation phase under the BiH SuTra programme, various expert discussions and rounds of public consultations, Breza adopted its first-ever sustainable transition plan. The newly adopted plan aligns with the EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, aiming to foster a more sustainable society and improve environmental and living conditions in Breza municipality.
The transition plan is also inspired by Breza’s Vision 2050, a vision shaped through public consultations in autumn 2023 to ensure the plan reflects the community's collective aspirations for a sustainable future.
The transition plan covers five key pathways: decarbonization, circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable agriculture and nature protection and biodiversity. It includes cost estimates for implementing proposed measures across all five development pathways, setting a course for long-term, medium-term, and short-term goals. The municipality has selected sixteen activities of high priority within five development pathways that will be under the focus over the next few years.
„The adoption of the Operational Plan for the realization of the sustainable transition vision for the Municipality of Breza for the period 2025-2027 will lead to significant changes and improvements within the local community, laying the groundwork for the long-term development and prosperity of the municipality. This plan serves as a crucial document that will assist institutions and organizations in efficiently and sustainably transitioning to new business practices that positively impact the environment, society, and economy. I would like to express my gratitude to all stakeholders and encourage them to take an active role in achieving the goals of this sustainable transition.“ - said Vedad Jusić, the Mayor of the Municipality of Breza, after the adoption of the plan.
Vedad Jusić, Mayor of Breza Municipality. Photo: BiH SuTra.
The BiH SuTra programme, 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 now assist in implementing selected measures, following the adoption of operational three-year plans, in compliance with legal regulations.
"Adopting plans for a sustainable transition and priorities of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, is crucial for creating resilient communities and economies. Local governments are key to this process, implementing policies and projects that directly impact citizens. By learning from Swedish experiences, which highlight effective collaboration and innovation at the local level, we can turn challenges into opportunities and ensure a sustainable future for all." - Saša Solujić, BiH SuTra Programme Manager.
BiH SuTra aims to foster a more sustainable society and enhance environmental and living conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina's coal regions, setting a course for long-term, medium-term, and short-term goals through participative and comprehensive planning processes. The programme is focusing on four coal regions in BiH along with the Municipality of Breza, municipalities of Banovići, Ugljevik and Živinice city which will adopt their transition plans later this year.
In the future, this will hopefully be an inspiration and experience to learn from for other coal regions in BiH.
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