RS Participates in the EWRC 2024: Driving Community Empowerment Through Local Action Groups (LAGs)

The Republic of Srpska actively participated in the European Week of Regions and Cities, the largest Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy in the European Union. This annual gathering has become a platform for discussing shared challenges facing Europe's regions and cities, bringing together policymakers, experts, and practitioners from various sectors. With a focus on fostering cooperation and exchanging best practices, the event serves as a key venue for networking and dialogue on sustainable regional growth.

Republic of Srpska’s Participation: LAGs and Community Empowerment

This year, the Republic of Srpska’s Regional Representation in Brussels was a partner in organizing a workshop titled “Driving Community Empowerment: The Essential Role of Local Action Groups (LAGs).” The workshop highlighted the significant role that Local Action Groups play in empowering communities through local democracy initiatives and sustainable development efforts.

About the Workshop

The workshop aimed to present best practices of Local Action Groups, exploring their contributions to community empowerment. It also addressed LAGs’ efforts toward sustainable development, rural tourism, and youth engagement. By featuring perspectives from regional and local representatives, including those from non-EU countries, the event encouraged a broader discussion on fostering rural growth through LAG initiatives.

The workshop was organized in partnership with several European regions and organizations:

Botosani County Council (Romania)
Wielkopolska Region (Poland)
Pomorskie Region (Poland)
Local Action Group Strossmayer (Croatia)
North-East Romania Regional Development Agency (RDA) – Brussels Office

The session was moderated by Elyse Lebreuilly, Secretary General of the Association Leader France, who facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences.

Mr. Bojan Cikić Represents Republic of Srpska

Representing the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Bojan Cikić from Local Action Group "SAVUS" delivered a speech focusing on the role of LAGs in community empowerment, rural development, and regional cooperation. LAG SAVUS operates in the northwest part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering four municipalities: Gradiška, Laktaši, Srbac, and Kozarska Dubica.

Mr. Cikić, representing Local Action Group (LAG) SAVUS, shared a compelling narrative about the challenges and achievements of rural development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began by highlighting the establishment of LAG SAVUS ten years ago, which, like many other local action groups in the country, was initially supported by international projects. However, once those projects concluded, most LAGs were forced to cease operations due to the absence of formal financial support. Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to fully utilize pre-accession funds for rural development, leaving many local initiatives without necessary backing.

Despite these obstacles, LAG SAVUS stands as a resilient exception. Last year, the group was successfully reorganized through a cooperative effort involving municipalities and civil society organizations. This collaboration allowed LAG SAVUS to implement a three-year development strategy with a focus on rural tourism, youth empowerment, and economic diversification in the region. The group’s strategic efforts also led to an important partnership with the Network for Rural Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an alliance that was formalized through a signed agreement involving several municipalities within the region, including Srbac, Gradiška, Laktaši, and Kozarska Dubica.

The cooperation didn’t stop there. Mr. Cikić emphasized that the support from the SEDRA II GIZ project, aimed at enhancing economic diversification in rural areas across Southeast Europe, has been instrumental in reinvigorating LAG SAVUS’s initiatives. Additionally, the group has benefited from the wider efforts of the Balkan Network for Rural Development, which, with backing from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has fostered collaboration throughout the Western Balkans. This regional approach has proven vital in driving socio-economic growth and empowering rural communities.

Mr. Cikić underscored that this moment is critical for LAG SAVUS, as it actively seeks to forge partnerships with other local action groups across Europe. He expressed a firm belief that through collaboration, rural communities can strengthen their ties, promote sustainable development, and further enhance local democracy. In his concluding remarks, he warmly invited interested parties to connect with LAG SAVUS to explore possibilities for future cooperation, underscoring the importance of shared efforts in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural areas.

The speech provided a powerful example of how local action groups, even in challenging environments, can be catalysts for community empowerment and sustainable development.

A Call for Collaboration

Mr. Cikić’s speech concluded with a call for partnerships with other Local Action Groups across Europe. "We believe that by working together, we can strengthen community ties, promote sustainable rural development, and enhance local democracy," said Mr. Cikić. He extended an open invitation to interested parties to connect with LAG SAVUS to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

A Platform for Regional Cooperation

The Republic of Srpska’s participation in the European Week of Regions and Cities underscored the importance of collaboration across borders, sectors, and regions. By sharing experiences and building partnerships, LAGs like SAVUS contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Europe. The event demonstrated the value of cohesion policies not only for EU member states but also for neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through its continued engagement in initiatives like EWRC, the Republic of Srpska reaffirms its commitment to empowering local communities and promoting sustainable development in rural areas.

The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.

The event was created in 2003 when the European Committee of the Regions invited Brussels-based local and regional representations to the European Union to open their doors to visitors simultaneously. One year later the European Commission's DG for Regional Policy also joined the adventure.

Developing from the initial concept, the event has become a European networking platform for experts in regional and local development. Exchange of good practice in economic development and social inclusion, cross-border cooperation, public-private partnerships, regional innovation and community-led local development have become some of its many topics.

Over the years, the event has grown into the key event on EU Regional Policy. It welcomes some 6.000 participants in October each year (local, regional, national and European decision-makers and experts) for more than 100 workshops and debates, exhibitions and networking opportunities.

EURegionsWeek serves several crucial functions, including:

Discussing Common Challenges: By bringing together diverse participants, it facilitates discussions on how to address common challenges faced by Europe's regions and cities.
Capacity Building and Learning: The event acts as a platform for capacity-building, offering opportunities to exchange experiences and good practices in implementing EU cohesion policies.
Networking and Cooperation: It fosters cooperation among regions, cities, and various stakeholders, strengthening connections across Europe.
Shaping Cohesion Policy: The event feeds into ongoing debates on EU cohesion policy, incorporating insights from the latest research, as well as input from international organizations and third countries.