Representation: The Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Savez općina i gradova Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine) and the Association of Local Authorities of Republic Srpska (Savez opština i gradova Republike Srpske) represent local self-government units of the Federation and the Republika Srpska respectively. They act as representatives of local self-government units before their respective Entities and the central Government. 

Consultation: Republika Srpska: The Republika Srpska’s administration must ask the opinion of the Association of Local Authorities of Republic of Srpska and of the local self-government units during the drafting process of the legislative acts that regulate the status, rights and obligations of local government. In addition, the Republika Srpska consults mayors and associations of Communes and Towns on a bi-annual basis.[1]

FBiH: Pursuant to Article 56 of the Law on the principles of local government in the FBiH, the federal and cantonal authorities must consult local self-government units when a proposal has a local impact. Consultation is conducted via the representatives of the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the FBiH[2].

Coordination:

Vertical coordination:

The Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina[3] and the Association of Local Authorities of Republic Srpska ensure vertical coordination within their respective territories. They promote their interests before their respective Entities and the BiH Government.

Pursuant to Article 51 of the Law on the principles of local government in the FBiH, the Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Acts as a legal representative for its members before the authorities of the BiH Federation;
• Prepares legislative proposals and amendments to improve the laws and regulations which define the work of local self-government units, and
• Provides opinions and recommendations with regard to the allocation of public revenue in the part thereof that concerns the funding of local units of self-government.

According to Article 53 of the Law on the principles of local government in the FBiH, cantonal authorities shall have the obligation to consider initiatives, proposals and suggestions of local self-government units and inform local self-government units on their position and related activities within 30 days from the date of receipt of an initiative, proposal or suggestion.
The Governments of the Federation and of the Republika Srpska have prepared a code of relations in order to improve coordination between the different levels of Government.[4]

However, according the latest report on EU enlargement strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2015), suggests that, while institutions made some progress towards addressing the outstanding reform priorities with the adoption of the Reform Agenda[5], major challenges remain, notably the need for closer cooperation and coordination at all levels of government.[6]

Horizontal coordination:

The Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina[7] and the Association of Local Authorities of Republika Srpska[8] ensure horizontal coordination within their respective territories. Moreover, they act as platforms for sharing knowledge and information.

Thematic boards of the Association of Local Authorities of the Republika Srpska are working bodies that bring together municipal and city representatives working on crucial issues of local self-government interest in order to exchange experience and formulate legislative and other initiatives for improvement of the position of the local self-government and their better representation before the government. [9]

EU-related coordination:

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a Directorate for European Integration[10] tasked with coordinating the process of BiH’s integration into the EU. The Directorate overtook the role of the former Ministry of European integration of BiH. The Directorate for EU integration is competent for the following[11]:

• Coordination of activities on harmonisation of the BiH legal system with the EU accession standards (acquis communautaire);
• Verification of the coherence of all draft laws and regulations submitted to the Council of Ministers by all ministries and administrative units with the directives of the White Paper – Preparation of Associated States of Central and Eastern Europe for Integration into the Internal Market of the Union.
• Harmonisation of the activities of the authorities and institutions of BiH in the field of EU integration;
• Coordination of enforcement of decisions passed by the relevant authorities and institutions of BiH, Entities and the Brčko District with regard to all the activities necessary in the field of EU integration;
• Acting as the central operational partner of the institutions of the European Commission in the process of stabilisation and association;
• Coordination of the EU assistance.

It also participates as a technical operational body for keeping contacts with the European Commission, in the activities on or is involved with drafting laws, regulations and guidelines concerning the inclusion into the European integration processes. [12]

In Republika Srpska, there are EU integration units in every ministry with the exception of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation has an overall coordinating role on EU matters. FBiH has established an EU integration unit in some ministries.

Nevertheless, there is an important lack of coordination of EU-related matters within the FBiH and between the Entities and BiH.[13]



[1] Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Local and regional democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, CG(22)12, 21 March 2012.

[2] Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lobby Strategy, Sarajevo, September 2011.

[3] Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, O Savezu općina i gradova Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine,

[4] Commission Staff Working Paper Bosnia And Herzegovina 2011 Progress Report, European Commission Brussels, 12.10.2011 Sec(2011) 1206, p.10.

[5] Reform Agenda, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 – 2018

[6] Commission Staff Working Paper Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 Report, European Commission Brussels, 10.11.2015 SWD(2015)214 final

[7] Association of Municipalities and Cities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, O Savezu općina i gradova Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine

[8] Association of local authorities of Republic of Srpska, About us

[9] Association of Local Authorities of Republic of Srpska website, retrieved on 22 May 2012.

[10] Law on Council of Ministers of BiH, Official Gazette of BiH, No. 38/2002 of 18 December 2002

[11] Official website of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

[12] Official website of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

[13]Commission Staff Working Paper Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 Report, European Commission Brussels, 10.11.2015 SWD(2015)214 final .​