Spain / Spanish Agency for International
Development Cooperation (AECID)
Policy approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The
presence of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation
(AECID) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), denoted in its Master Plan 2005-2008
as a Country of Special Attention, is a reflection of Spain’s commitment to a
country in transition working towards European Union (EU) accession. As a
result, Spain/AECID’s activities focus greatly on institutional strengthening,
both at the state level, supporting the consolidation of a strong, viable
state, and at the local level in the south of Herzegovina
and Sarajevo
region. Spain
has been especially involved in BIH since the beginning of the conflict,
through its activities designed to support the consolidation of peace.
Each
of the aforementioned activities corresponds to the global strategic objectives
of Spain/AECID: to support BiH in the consolidation of peace, as well as in its
advance towards the EU with the political, economic, and social transformations
this process entails. These global strategic objectives are in line with BiH’s
stated needs. Spain/AECID achieves its goals through alignment and cooperation
with major international donors, as well as by focusing on synchronicity and
coordination among Spanish actors present in the country (i.e. Spanish NGOs).
In
the context of this global strategic objective, Spain/AECID activities
correspond to the following sectoral strategic objectives:
1. Enhancement of Social and Institutional Capacities (Democratic Governance). This is accomplished through a
combination of the following efforts: the promotion of representative,
participative democracy, and political pluralism; the strengthening of the Rule
of Law; the development of service-oriented Public Administration; and support
for European integration. These objectives are met through strengthening civil
society organizations, supporting judicial and police reform, as well as the
Public Administration Reform (PAR), and assisting local bodies and central
institutions responsible for the process of European integration.
2. Increase of Economic Capacities. Spain/AECID achieves these goals by aiding micro and small
enterprises and strengthening market institutional capacities. This is
accomplished by supporting decentralized public services, which, in turn, helps
create businesses.
3. Conflict Prevention and Peace-Building. This is addressed by focusing on
reduction of small arms and light weapons and ammunitions, transitional
justice, helping war crime victims and witnesses, especially victims of rape,
and reinforcing peace-making civil initiatives.
Allocation and activities in 2007
In
2007, Spain/AECID allocated € 5.2 million to the above activities. In addition,
Spain/AECID provides funds to the Infrastructure sector and financial support
to micro-credit organizations. Thus, in total, Spain/AECID’s allocation for
2007 was € 15.2 million.
Contact information
Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation
Address: Čekaluša
14, 71000 Sarajevo,
BiH
Phone: +387 33.250.350
Fax: +387 33.265.480
Email: otc.balcanes@aecid.ba
Web addresses: www.aecid.es;
www.aecid.ba
