On 28 February 2023, the Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić, and the Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, Vahagn Muradyan, signed a Grant Agreement to support the organisation of a second deliberative process in the City of Mostar.
Building on the positive experience and results of the first Citizens’ Assembly of Mostar, held in July 2021, the City of Mostar is committed to leading a new process that will bring together a group of people randomly selected to discuss a topic in the strategic area of economy and tourism development.
Through the grant co-funding in the amount of some EUR 40 000, the city is provided with the opportunity to engage with citizens to define policies and strategies based on their informed deliberations. By commissioning as second Citizens’ Assembly, the City of Mostar will further enhance transparency and inclusion of citizens in local public affairs.
This process will run in parallel to a similar initiative in the City of Banja Luka where citizens will address the topic of youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. Both cities will be provided specific expert support by the Council of Europe Congress. They will jointly and resolutely advance on adopting new democratic approaches and thereby contribute to keeping Bosnia and Herzegovina at the vanguard of deliberative democracy in the South-East of Europe.
This activity is carried out in the framework of the project “Innovating democratic participation at local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina” implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025. The project aims to enhance the quality of local democracy and create opportunities for citizens to engage in innovative participatory processes in Mostar and elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It promotes new democratic approaches, open government, public ethics, transparent and inclusive local policy making in the country.
Read more:
First Mostar Citizens’ Assembly
Beyond elections: The use of deliberative methods in European municipalities and regions