As part of the "Smart Sarajevo" Initiative the City of Sarajevo and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are launching a public call for projects, which will be financed from a fond worth more than 800,000 BAM.

The projects are to address the challenges and potentials identified by the citizens of Sarajevo through a survey conducted in March this year.

Among other things, 55 percent of 1,200 citizens of Sarajevo who participated in the survey, stated that the thing they like the most about Sarajevo is "proximity to nature and mountains", 31.5 percent said that they like the "different cultures and identity", while "a unique sense of humor" was the third top choice. Citizens also identified the three biggest challenges and priorities for all levels of government in Sarajevo: air pollution, public transport and the importance of the rule of law, transparency and the fight against corruption.

Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka emphasizes that the project, in a unique way, in communication with citizens, opens the opportunity to realize concrete initiatives and influence the quality of life of citizens. “The research that has been carried out has shown that citizens very clearly share with us the belief that public investments in the development of tourism and Olympic mountains are our greatest potential and chance. Also, they have very clearly said what they think and what are the biggest challenges and problems, which makes us more obligated. We are grateful to UNDP with whom we have created a fund for the best initiatives and the smartest solutions that will help us approach the vision of Sarajevo for the future”, said Mayor Skaka.

Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: ““Smart Sarajevo” Initiative holds potential to improve quality of life for citizens and support development of city’s urban economy through innovative and technology-based solutions. Making a city smarter begins with understanding people's needs and desires and finding innovative solutions and ideas which would help to fulfil them. Clear vision of future Sarajevo was already defined by more than 1,200 Sarajevo citizens. Today we open a public call  inviting private, non-governmental and public stakeholders to put forward bold and innovative ideas. City of Sarajevo, UNDP and Municipality Stari Grad, together with private and public sectors and CSOs join efforts for a smarter, healthier and more liveable “Smart Sarajevo”.”

The call for projects and the criteria for their approval are published on the websites of the City of Sarajevo www.sarajevo.ba, on the UNDP website and on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/smartsarajevo/.

The call is open until July 21, 2019.

Non-governmental organizations, private companies, public educational institutions, schools, technology centers and all other organizations are invited to apply. The value of the projects submitted has to be up to 85,000 BAM.