Women changing the way communities plan their development in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Gender-responsive budgeting is more than just another technical term. It means that when communities spend public money, they consider the different needs of women and men, children and older people, as well as those with unequal access to services and opportunities. In practice, this makes budgets fairer and more responsive to people's real experiences.

Traditionally, budget planning has often overlooked the fact that different groups of people face different challenges. Women may need additional support to start businesses, older people may require specialized healthcare, and young parents may struggle to find affordable childcare. Gender-responsive budgeting acknowledges these realities and works to distribute funds in a way that benefits everyone, since budgets are meant to serve all.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the “Transformative Financing for Gender Equality in the Western Balkans” programme, implemented by UN Women between 2020 and 2025 with the support of Sweden, has helped local communities and institutions take their first concrete steps in this direction. Women leaders from Trebinje, Sarajevo, and Tešanj share how these changes have shaped their institutions and created space for further progress.

More women in entrepreneurship and leadership in Trebinje

In Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slađana Skočajić, Acting Head of the Department of Culture, says the project introduced them to practical tools that made it easier to integrate gender equality into everyday planning. “We were fortunate to live in a fairly open community where women have the chance to express themselves, but it was valuable for us to learn how to formally define space for their greater involvement in economic life, and to encourage them as entrepreneurs and public workers,” she says.

The trainings, she adds, were particularly useful because they showed both the process and the impact of these activities on the wider community. The city administration already has a high degree of gender balance in leadership, which she sees as a strong foundation for future progress.

Concrete results are already visible. In October 2023, the City of Trebinje adopted a Gender Action Plan, and a new version of the document is expected to be adopted in September of this year. “As a socially responsible community, we plan to take further steps this year to make gender-responsive budgeting more concrete,” adds Skočajić, noting that her department has been practicing programme budgeting for two years.

Building a better understanding of gender-responsive budgeting in Sarajevo Canton

For the Ministry of Finance of the Sarajevo Canton, the project was an opportunity to improve the visibility of gender-responsive projects in the budget and strengthen the understanding of gender-responsive budget items. Amina Moćević, Assistant Minister for Budget and Fiscal System, explains that education for Ministry employees and budget users was essential.

“These trainings contributed to a better understanding and improved implementation of gender-responsive budgeting,” she says, noting that such measures are already reflected in the 2024 budget.

She highlights systemic improvements achieved through the project, including a software integration interface worth USD 90,000. “With this interface in place, we now have a strong foundation for targeting gender-responsive positions and projects in the budget,” Moćević explains. Gender-responsive budgeting is also included in the budget instructions for 2026-2028, which she says is key to ensuring continuity and sustainability.

Still, Moćević emphasizes that such processes are long-term and require ongoing training.

Stregthening fair distribution and inclusive planning in Centar Sarajevo

In the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo, Amra Hašimbegović-Vučković, Assistant to the Municipal Mayor for Veteran-Disability and Social Protection, says the project helped refine and systematize existing practices.

“Our goal was to ensure that, when planning the budget, funds are distributed fairly, and that we address certain gender stereotypes in our society,” she says.

Through the project, gender equality principles were integrated into local regulations and the Decision on Budget Execution. Officials also received training, and the Municipality introduced an innovative Guide to Rights and Services with QR codes, allowing people to download requests directly to their phones. Gender-disaggregated data is now collected as well, making it easier to monitor progress and adapt policies.

Viewing budgetary processes from a more inclusive perspective in Tešanj

In Tešanj, Almira Prnjavorac, from the Service for Cadastre, Urbanism, and Property-Legal Affairs and President of the Local Gender Action Plan Team, says the project opened a new perspective. “Participating in this project was important because it allowed us to look at budgetary processes from a more inclusive angle.”

The first step, she explains, was analyzing existing budget programmes to see how well they already reflected the needs of women and men. This was followed by workshops for officials and revisions to the Decision on Budget Execution. 

The Multidisciplinary Team of the Municipality of Tešanj played an important role in these efforts, and its members are also involved in protocols for handling cases of violence.

“I would particularly highlight the increased awareness among officials and institutions about the importance of gender equality,” emphasizes Prnjavorac. She adds that strong cooperation with the Multidisciplinary Team showed how different sectors can work together to promote gender equality.

Looking ahead, she believes that institutionalizing these practices through internal acts and continuous education will remain priorities.

The experiences of Trebinje, Sarajevo, and Tešanj show how vital it is to invest in local capacities and in people who dedicate their work to advancing gender equality. With the right tools and knowledge, gender equality becomes a concrete part of planning and development, not just an aspiration.