The governance project in Municipal Water and Environmental Development (WES) is an SDC project in north-western BiH, comprising 17 municipalities in both entities. One of the key activities within GOV-WADE was the elaboration of Municipal Water and Environmental Sanitation Development Plan which set the fundaments in many municipalities for good governance.

During the GOV-WADE Inception Phase when we were involved in the process of strategic planning which was for most of the municipalities newland, we encountered quite often a misunderstanding and a reluctance by municipality officials to commit themselves full heartedly to the process. These people were still perceiving the whole venture just as another nuisance, imposed upon them in order to attract donor funds.

Mr. Amir Hadzic, the GOV-WADE Project Coordinator for the Municipality of Bihac and a member of the Municipal Committee for the elaboration of the Water and Environmental Sanitation Development Plan was very suspicious about many activities related to the public involvement in the strategic planning process such as public hearings, meetings in local communities and the participation in radio and TV shows. Having made the experience before, when such activities were done as an alibi, he wondered now, why the GOV-WADE Project put so much stress and efforts in to the component of public involvement. He was very much reluctant a member of the team which visited the local communities of Bihac, discussing with citizen strategic planning as well as participating in live call-in shows at the local TV and radio station.

I managed to persuade him of the importance that he, as a person directly involved in the entire strategic development process, took part in the public involvement activities and explain to citizen the purpose and benefits of the WES Strategic Plan and what it took to elaborate it. In March 2007, when a TV show with Mr. Hadzic as one of the guests was about to start, the lady TV-host argued that there was no chance that Mr. Hadzic would show up for the show, because, although timely arranged for his participation, he had never taken part in such shows before and had always cancelled his attending on some pretext just minutes before the show, or wouldn’t have come at all. Surprisingly, he came now 20 min. before the start of the show. The TV-host was astonished and thanked me for having had him brought in timely. Still, she said: “I don’t think, he will say a word in the show”. As I started to anticipate a failure, Mr. Hadzic already answered first questions, being a big relief to me. I, indeed, was amazed how well, concisely and in a language simple and understandable for every citizen he explained the significance of the WES Strategic Plan for his municipality and what steps had been taken in the process of its elaboration. He was also very precise and clear in answering the questions coming from the viewers. At that moment I realised that my belief and persistence had been justified. I had the confirmation that the GOV-WADE approach was the only right one.

Today I see how much the citizens have been sensitised for WES issues and how pro-actively they are involved in many developments and events in this sector. Also, from time to time I listen to the local radio shows about other municipality projects, where Mr. Hadzic takes usually a very committed position and participates lively in the discussions. I admit, it makes me happy knowing that the GOV-WADE project has made a true difference in the life of the Una Sana Region municipalities.

I am convinced that, what I am doing is right and justified and that my belief in our partners and collaborators, and sometimes my stubbornness are all very important ingredients of every venture in favour of the development project.

The approach of SDC, according to which my implementing agency is actually a project facilitator and that the true project lead is invested into our project partners, is the only way to genuine and lasting self-sustainability in my country. It is then, when I understand that my country may mutate from a pure beneficiary to a valuable cooperation partner. So I am glad and thankful to partners like Mr. Hadzic who take responsibility and initiative on behalf of their municipality, once after they have understood the essentials of our intervention in cooperation and development.

Sandi Zulić
Executive Director of "Una-Sana" Association