Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Joint UN Project


High exposure to natural hazards coupled with insufficient technical, organizational, and financial capacities of BiH’s institutions and governments directly impede the country’s socio-economic development and increase population vulnerability. This Project, jointly implemented by five UN Agencies, will reduce the social and economic vulnerabilities of citizens and institutions affected by disasters and climate change by introducing and operationalizing an integrated model of disaster risk governance and livelihood enhancement starting with selected local municipalities.

RegionCountry Topic Period Budget
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Climate change and environment
Governance
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Education
nothemedefined
Disaster risk reduction DRR
Public sector policy
Humanitarian efficiency
Education facilities and training
01.09.2018 - 30.06.2023
CHF  2’500’000
Background The overall disaster risk reduction and management (DRR/DRM) governance system in BiH is characterized by the decentralized responsibilities of different institutions, coupled with insufficient technical, organizational, and financial capacities, often lacking the proper expertise to deal effectively with existing and future hazard threats. Local governments are closest to the citizens and therefore the front-liners in any disaster. Their severe exposure to natural and human-made hazards provides them with the opportunity to become true game changers in reducing disaster risk at the local level since they face less political constraints and uncertainties in achieving results, unlike at the entity or national level.
Target The Project’s overall goal is to improve DRR institutional capacities, frameworks, public services and partnerships at the local level of government in BiH and make the populations in risk-exposed localities less socially and economically vulnerable to effects of disasters and climate change.
Target group At least 10 local governments (with a total population of approximately 400’000) across BiH will be selected by using the criteria of vulnerability, human and technical capacity, the existence of data for land use, local development strategies, political willingness and the possibility to maximise synergies with other relevant UN, Swiss and other donor-supported initiatives. It is expected that the Project will reach at least 50’000 vulnerable people, including children, rural populations and people with disabilities.
Outcomes

Outcome 1: At least 10 local governments have adopted DRR-featuring strategies, established partnerships for effective DRR interventions, and financed actions that build community resilience thus are better equipped to prevent and respond to disasters. 

Outcome 2: Citizens in target localities, particularly the most vulnerable population groups, have become more resilient to disasters.

Results

Expected Results:  

1.1 Local DRR Platforms are established to serve as locally owned DRR coordination mechanisms and capacitated to mainstream DRR into local policies and strategies, and support community resilience building.

1.3 Municipal/city DRR strategic and action planning frameworks are upgraded based on a multi-sectoral perspective, with the focus on the most vulnerable population groups.

2.1. Local level capacities for flood and landslide prevention and preparedness are enhanced through capacity development, early warning systems and awareness raising.

2.5. The capacities of the agriculture sector and vulnerable farmers in target localities to increase disaster preparedness and reduce disaster losses are strengthened.

2.6 Local level capacities, tools and procedures for disaster preparedness are tested in practice to improve cross-sectoral coordination for effective disaster response.


Results from previous phase:   From October 2017 to March 2018, participating UN agencies convened participatory consultations with key stakeholders and partners to be involved in the Project implementation in order to validate the Project’s approach, establish baseline indicators and ensure its relevance to the country’s needs. Switzerland has already worked on DRR in BiH with UN Agencies and other partners through the provision of  technical expertise and seed funding for different DRR related projects over 2015-2017. 


Agency SDC
Credit Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe
Project Partners Contract Partner
Private sector
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • United Nations Development Programme


Other Partners
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) acting as the Convening Agency of the Joint Project (UNDP, UNFPA, FAO, UNICEF, UNESCO)
Projects Coordination

Primary partners are selected local governments, the Ministry of Security of BiH, entity Civil Protections, sectoral ministries.

The SDC-funded Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance Project (MEG), the Integrated Local Development Project (ILDP) and the co-funded Strengthening Associations of Municipalities and Cities in BiH Project and the Local Communities Project (MZ).

UN led interventions: (i) the Floods and Landslides Risk Assessment for Housing Sector in BiH, (ii) the Landslide Risk Management Study in BiH, and iii) the Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy for BiH.

Other donors’ programs (Czech Republic and Italy) on DRR in cooperation with UNDP and Swiss Red Cross.

 

Budget Current Phase Swiss Budget CHF    2’500’000 Swiss Disbursement Till Know CHF    2’410’877
Project Phases Phase 2 01.10.2023 - 30.11.2027   (Current Phase)

Phase 1 01.09.2018 - 30.06.2023   (Active)