The final conference of the Project for Improving Performance of Local Services (PIPLS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded by Sweden and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH, summarized the results achieved and discussed future perspectives.

The PIPLS project aimed to improve access to key public services through better governance and increased investment in local infrastructure. One of the most important results of the project is the establishment of an efficient asset management system in local government units (LGUs). Through this project, 238 practitioners successfully completed an asset management training program, and the first comprehensive Manual for Establishing an Efficient Asset Management System in BiH was developed. Thanks to these efforts, 18 LGUs have established an efficient asset management system, while an asset data collection tool was developed and implemented in 14 LGUs.

In addition, the project significantly contributed to the rationalization of public spending. Potential for savings and revenue increases was identified at the level of 15 partner LGUs, and technical assistance was provided to strengthen internal control systems. Through various training programs, 131 practitioners improved their skills in the areas of financial management, control, risk management and public procurement. In addition, a Public Procurement Manual for Local Governments was developed, and the Public Procurement Agency of BiH was provided with technical assistance in developing the Public Procurement Strategy 2024-2028, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of BiH.

The project also supported specific interventions to improve public services. Support was provided to the 10 most successful partner local governments in implementing priority infrastructure interventions, the total value of which is over 3.3 million KM. These interventions improved the infrastructure for providing public services for over 180,000 direct and 90,000 indirect beneficiaries.

Capacity building for newly elected mayors is another important component of the project. 11 local governments were supported and 30 projects were implemented over a period of 23 months. Among them, 8 projects contributed to improving service delivery through the introduction of new digital tools and processes. The City of Prijedor, with the technical assistance of the project, established the First Open Data Portal in BiH and organized the innovation challenge “Decode for Prijedor”. Also, projects and feasibility studies were prepared for 10 large projects, with a total value of over 150 million KM, and four development strategies were adopted for the municipalities of Ilidža, Mostar, Odžak and Orašje.

The PIPLS project significantly contributed to improving the efficiency and transparency of local services, which will benefit the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the long term.