Vlado Simić of the Municipality of Petrovo joined the Phase One of the project “Strengthening the Role of MZs in BiH” as a local coordinator in 2015. To him, this was a start on the journey to a not fully clear, yet inspiring goal – New role of MZ in life of citizens in BiH.

As an expert associate for local economic development in the Municipality of Petrovo, he knew his local community well. He completed several trainings, including a training for a facilitator of citizens’ forum, which was also attended by representatives of five MZs from Petrovo that participated in Phase One. The acquired knowledge, experience and skills he gained during the trainings, but also numerous activities during Phase One of the Project, as a facilitator, he transferred to Phase Two of the Project by training the presidents of MZs Kakmuž and Kaluđerica to hold future forums.

“The methodology of organising and conducting a forum as well as facilitation and co-facilitation was part of one of the first trainings in the form of training for trainers in MZs. Facilitation and co-facilitation or the simplest management of a citizens’ forum was part of a somewhat complex multi-day training”, explains Simić, adding that much like any training on certain unknown or lesser known topic, this too was initially met with “Another training?” attitude, but through practice, the training itself proved to be highly useful and necessary.

“Thanks to professional consultants hired by the project implementers, following on the principles of socialising, conversations, presentations, group work, examples and personal participation, the training for trainers in MZs was practically validated by independently organised and conducted forums in all MZs. The first forums, organisation, coordination and facilitation were like a final exam. At each forum, citizens and their elected representatives in the MZ Council have the leading role”, says Simić, adding that already in the first forums the role of the facilitator proved difficult, sensitive and important.

“It is simply confirmed what has been learned and defined in theory – a facilitator is a person who facilitates and helps others in the process of discussing issues or some other topics by directing the course of discussion towards solving problems or answers within the forum group. If you succeed in this process, it is felt in satisfaction at the end of the forum. Maximum success is not always reached, but it is always a pleasure”, adds Simić, conveying his personal impression after the training and after conducting or facilitating several forums:

“Facilitation is like a craft skill. There are good and even better facilitators. They are constantly learning, innovating and adapting. All within the general rules, rules of the organisers and good coordination”.

Simić says that the participants in the first trainings during the transfer of knowledge at first also reacted as one would to something new; however, regardless of the results of the forum, the positive acceptance of the methodology takes place gradually, and the opportunity to transfer knowledge is used at every meeting or forum.

“Only after the implementation of specific project ideas did the confirmation come in follow-up forums – “oh, this is from that one or that other forum”. Citizens, participants demand a participatory process, but such a process must become an acquired positive habit that is accepted as such, not imposed but reflexive”, says Simić, explaining that the solution for better acceptance of such a process is in holding more frequent and mandatory forums in communities with initiation and support in organising both at the level of MZs and local governments.

The MZs of Karanovac, Sočkovac, Petrovo, Porječina and Krtova participated in the Phase One of the Project in the Municipality of Petrovo, and Simić got the opportunity to transfer the acquired knowledge in citizens’ forums in the MZs of Kakmuž and Kaluđerica that take part in Phase Two.

Milenko Stjepanović from the MZ Kakmuž says that he is satisfied with the forum held and the opportunity to learn from a practical example. He believes that this way of discussing solutions to local problems is very important.

“Our first meeting went well, citizens were informed about the schedule, and considering the situation, the turnout was good. I am especially pleased that people from all parts of the village and hamlets were represented, that many different ideas and different opinions were presented, because only in that way can a balance be reached so that we can all contribute to the local community going one step further”, says Miljenko Stjepanović adding that he finds it very important that through such a participatory process it is possible to involve every citizen in the decision-making process about things that directly concern each of them:

“It is important that MZs decide for themselves what needs to be done, rather than someone else at other levels doing it for them. Be it water, asphalt or a facility, as long as it is what the people in the local community need, and to hear it from them, and then to go further to the municipality and elsewhere where needed to see it through”, concludes Miljenko, and says that hopes that similar meetings will be held in the future, but with greater participation of young people:

“It is necessary for young people to be more involved in the work of the local community and in decision-making processes in the local community, they should be attracted through sports and various activities, offered a perspective, show them by example how through personal engagement they can improve their lives and local communities, put new basketball hoops, renovate the playground, children’s playrooms …, but also offer other ideas and kick-start processes”.

A forum of citizens was also successfully held in MZ Kaluđerica, and the president of this MZ, Milenko Petrović, says that he is satisfied with the turnout, but also the way decisions are made at the forum:

“The people responded, the needs are great, and some projects came up concerning development, women’s association, road structure, water supply. We had these delegated further, so we will see what will happen next, it is important that we got things moving. People came, took an active part, had a lot of ideas, a lot of questions, suggestions”, says Petrović, adding that he likes the most that in this way everyone is actively involved in defining the priorities that will be delegated from the MZ to higher levels of government:

“The people have shown that they want to get involved, and it is a good thing that in this way everyone is participating in making important decisions, not just the MZ Council of five people. In this way, all members of the community are moved to actively think about what the problems are, but also about the ways in which we can all solve those problems together”, adds Petrović.

"Strengthening the Role of Local Communities – MZ in BiH" is a joint project of the Government of Switzerland and Sweden worth 14 million BAM. Implementing partner is United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH in partnership with the BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Justice of Federation BiH, the Government of Brcko District and both entity associations of municipalities and cities.