Hydro-engineering Institute Sarajevo (HEIS) and Development Consulting Group Belgrade (DCG) have jointly implemented the Project entitled “Preparation of Integrated Development Strategy of the City of Banja Luka for period 2018-2027”.
The Project was financed by the UNDP, as part of the wider UNDP project “Local Integrated Development (LID) Project 2016 – 2019“. The implementation of the project began in October 2017 and was completed in June 2018.
Specific objectives of the project:
- To ensure effective and process-based delivery of technical assistance to target local government of the City of Banja Luka throughout the strategic planning process, following the principles and minimum standards set within the standardised local development planning methodology for Bosnia and Herzegovina (MiPRO);
- To support establishment/revitalisation of a participatory partnership of the local community involving all relevant stakeholders (with special focus on socially excluded groups) and ensure their structured and productive engagement in local planning process.
The project did not only result in the newly-developed integrated local strategy, but also in the strengthened capacity of the local government unit to plan, coordinate and implement strategic planning processes, in close collaboration with its community.
Preparation of Integrated Development Strategy in accordance with MiPRO methodology was carried out in four phases:
- Preparatory phase, including preparatory meeting, workshop on MiPRO methodology, stakeholder mapping, as well as the establishment of municipal working groups (City Administration Development Team and Sector QWorking group) and Local Partnership.
- Strategic platform, including situational analysis, as well as defining strategic foci, vision and strategic goals for further development.
- Sectoral planning, which involved the elaboration of sectoral plans (economic development, social development, environmental protection) including the definition of sectoral goals, programs, projects and measures.
- Operational planning, including development of financial and implementation plans, M&E plans, as well as project fiches.
The Strategic Focus Workshop was held on 25 January 2018 in Banja Luka, with the participation of consultants, UNDP representatives, the Mayor of the City of Banja Luka, and numerous members of the City Administration Development Team. The workshop defined strategic focus and vision for future development, as well as strategic goals.
By the end of February 2018, the strategic platform was presented to the representatives of Local Partnership (LP), consisting of key stakeholders in Banja Luka, whereas members of the LP had the opportunity to give their comments and suggestions on the draft strategic platform and thereby actively participate in the process of the Strategy development.