Transitional Plans in three local self-government units in BiH – Municipality of Gacko, the Municipality of Kakanj and the City of Gradiška within the area of agriculture

Summary of project:

FEA implements consultancy services under the “Sustainable Transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH SuTra)” and supports the preparation of Transitional Plans in three local self-government units (LSGUs) – Municipality of Gacko, Municipality of Kakanj, and City of Gradiška within the area of agriculture.

The purpose of the project is to provide thematic expertise in agriculture and rural development, supporting LSGUs in designing pathways towards environmentally friendly, resilient, and innovative agricultural systems, aligned with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

The project aims to develop comprehensive strategies that optimize agricultural practices, promote organic and sustainable food production, reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, support agroforestry and biomass utilization, digitize agricultural management, and ensure compliance with EU food safety standards. The consultancy also facilitates stakeholder consultations, capacity building for local officials, and the establishment of thematic Working Groups for agriculture to guide the development and implementation of the Transitional Plans.

Project objective

General objective:

Providing expert consultancy support in preparing and adopting agriculture Transition Plans, defining sustainable pathways and prioritized measures (short-term to 2029, mid-term to 2035, and long-term to 2050) to shift towards environmentally friendly, resilient, and innovative agricultural systems aligned with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and relevant EU standards.

Specific objectives:

• Technical support throughout the process, including strengthening the situational analysis, drafting measures and activities, supporting stakeholder consultations, preparing Terms of Reference (when needed), and delivering capacity-building sessions (when needed).

• Inception phase: review of methodology and available materials, initial coordination meetings, and preparation of a preliminary work plan and stakeholder engagement plan.

• Setting up and facilitating the Agriculture Working Group in the target municipalities/cities.

• Mapping the transition landscape: review and analysis of relevant international, Bosnia and Herzegovina, entity, cantonal, and local policies/strategies/regulations, including a dedicated summary.

• Review and enhancement of the situational analysis (including indicators where necessary), building on the results of the visioning process.

• Contribution to the development and alignment of transition pathways, and support to the first round of stakeholder consultations.

• Prioritisation and drafting of measures and activities, support to the second round of consultations, and update of measures/activities.

• Developing transitional pathways and prioritizing measures for short-term (up to 2029), medium-term (up to 2035), and long-term (up to 2050) agricultural development.

• Supporting LSGUs in adopting the Transitional Plans and operational 3-year plans (2027–2029).

• Delivery of capacity-building/training sessions (upon request) and support in preparing Terms of Reference for selected measures.