F O R U M: „Sustainability of the RHP/Regional Housing Programme – Contribution of the CARE project: Achievements and Challenges – the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina“

THE PROJECT IS USEFUL AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED
 ( Online Forum, November 30, 2020)

On October 30, 2020, The Igman Initiative Forum was held dedicated to the contribution of the CARE project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the representatives of the Igman Initiative, representatives of the competent state bodies, UNHCR and OSCE, local governments from Prijedor, Tuzla and Brcko District, as well as two organizations that implemented the project – UZOPI and Hajde – participated in the work of the forum.

According to the forum participants, the CARE project in Bosnia and Herzegovina was realized with the full coordination of all participants in its implementation and thanks to that it gave very good results and strengthened mutual trust, which is a good basis for future joint action. In this regard, the role of civil society organizations involved in the implementation of the project was especially praised, emphasizing the high commitment to the topic of refugees, professionalism, experience and skills in building relationships with public institutions. In that sense, the need for further support for the work of such organizations in the future was emphasized. According to the participants, the project can be considered an example of how much can be done with a small intervention.

The added value of the CARE project achieved in Prijedor was especially emphasized at the Forum, where the local government accepted the obligation to equip an additional 17 apartments (in addition to 15 that are equipped through this project) so that all future tenants have equal conditions. The participants of the forum pointed out that this project actually piloted the practice of partially equipping apartments and thus creating better conditions for quality housing and better sustainability of the RHP intervention. It was concluded that this is an example of good practice that should be implemented in the future.

The general attitude of the forum participants was that this project should continue especially because of the importance of social integration and economic empowerment and poverty reduction for a significant number of returnees. In that context, it was emphasized that it is necessary to continue working on educational activities in order to strengthen returnees, direct them to cooperation and association while performing an organized manner.

The discussion at the forum concluded with the view that Brcko, Prijedor and Tuzla are bright examples of how cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental sector can function, in which the governmental sector takes political responsibility, and the non-governmental engages all its resources to solve certain social issues.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

  • According to the Forum participants, the implementation of the “CARE project – Contribution to the access of refugees and IDPs to employment rights and opportunities “in Bosnia and Herzegovina was achieved in full coordination and constructive and continuous cooperation of the Project Holder (Center for Regionalism Novi Sad), Partner (Citizens’ Forum Tuzla), local citizens’ associations that have implemented subprojects (Union for Sustainable Return of Refugees and HAJDE associations) and numerous government institutions from the state, cantonal and local levels. In addition, the participation of international organizations and bodies (OSCE and UNHCR) is also recognized as significant within the mandates they carry out in relation to the Regional Housing Programme for Refugees and Displaced Persons (RHP).
  • Continuous cooperation between different levels of BH authorities and public authorities among themselves and with the civil sector was highlighted as a particularly valuable experience gained during the implementation of the CARE project, which strengthened mutual trust and created a stronger basis for future joint action. In this regard, the role of civil society organizations involved in the implementation of the project was especially praised, emphasizing the following: high commitment to the topic of refugees, professionalism, experience and skills of building relationships with public institutions. The need for further support for the work of such organizations in the future was emphasized.
  • The Forum praised the practice of comprehensive management of the CARE project and especially emphasized the principle of directing as much available funds as possible to provide assistance to users. According to the participants, the project can be considered an example of how much can be done with a small intervention.
  • The coordination, cooperation and support provided by the central projects team to partners and organizations that have implemented local projects was assessed as very good.
  • Looking at the regional dimension of the CARE project, which was implemented in parallel in four countries, the importance of this approach was emphasized – regional cooperation, information exchange and joint efforts of relevant actors from individual countries to work together to address common returnee issues. The trust that is built, according to the participants, contributes to the mutual reconciliation to which they aspire.
  • Regarding the project results in BiH, it was assessed that they were met in most of the activities envisaged by the project. The challenges that accompanied the implementation of the CARE project in BiH primarily concerned the delay in the dynamics of completion of housing (Prijedor and Tuzla) and obtaining use permits so that apartment users can move into them. Their apartments are equipped, as planned by the project, and according to the information obtained at the Forum, moving in is expected by the end of 2020. Other activities related to the integration of returnees into local communities have been modified in accordance with objective circumstances. In addition to the delay in moving in, the COVID19 pandemic caused the need to approach the project more flexibly.
  • The Forum proudly highlighted the added value of the CARE project achieved in Prijedor, where the local government accepted the obligation to equip an additional 17 apartments (in addition to 15 equipped through the CARE project) so that all future tenants have equal conditions.
  • On the other hand, the Forum participants emphasized the importance of the research conducted within the Project and resulted in a database on the overall status and needs of refugee / returnee families, as well as the great use value it will have in future planning of new interventions and programs. The importance of this activity was especially emphasized because it was performed in direct contact with users whose reactions were very positive and the impression of increased trust in the intention to adequately help them was gained.
  • Overall, the intervention concept of the CARE project in BiH was assessed as good and rational, aimed at increasing the chances for RHP sustainability. The need to continue and maintain such interventions / projects was emphasized, especially due to the importance of social integration and economic empowerment and poverty reduction for a significant number of returnees. In that context, it was emphasized that it is necessary to continue working on educational activities in order to strengthen returnees, direct them to cooperation and association and perform in an organized manner.
  • Forum participants point out that this project is actually a piloted practice of partially equipping apartments and thus creating better conditions for quality housing and better sustainability of the RHP intervention. It was concluded that this is an example of good practice that should be implemented in the future.
  • According to the Forum participants, for the full sustainability of the RHP it is necessary to pay special attention to older, poor and socially vulnerable beneficiary families, who can hardly afford to pay rent. The existing legal framework is positive in this respect and provides an opportunity to subsidize the cost of social housing, but it must be accompanied by appropriate decisions at the level of local authorities.
  • The discussion at the forum concluded with the view that Brcko, Prijedor and Tuzla are bright examples of how cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental sector can function, in which the governmental sector takes political responsibility and the non-governmental engages all its resources to solve certain social issues.