The PRAGG Forum titled “Advocacy in a Challenging Environment: Reshaping Strategy and Responding to Challenges” was held at Hotel Hills in Sarajevo. It was organized by the PRAGG Project and the Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network with the support of the Swiss Government.
The PRAGG Forum aims to create a platform for dialogue and cooperation, bringing together civil society organizations, authorities, and, this time, the business sector and media, with the goal of strengthening a democratic and proactive civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This year, PRAGG, together with the Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network, wishes to support the integration of regional and domestic experience and provide an opportunity for open dialogue.
This forum highlights that the EU accession process requires significant policy reforms in candidate countries. These reforms depend on a meaningful public dialogue between the authorities, civil society, and the business sector. However, we are witnessing a worrying trend of shrinking space for public engagement across the region, where effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders can play a key role in protecting and expanding the space for civic action.
During the forum, through two panels and working groups, participants had the opportunity to discuss very important topics for the development of a democratic and proactive civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina with actors from various sectors. The panel topics were:
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Discovering Challenges: Reflections from Civil Society, Authorities, and the Business Sector;
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Thinking Outside the Box: Reflections of Development Partners on Future Steps.
The NGO Genesis Project also received an invitation to participate in the PRAGG Forum, and its Executive Director, Dijana Pejić, attended the event. With our rich knowledge and vast experience in the non-profit sector, education, social development, and peacebuilding, we can certainly contribute to the development of the discussion and the strengthening of efforts towards creating sustainable solutions for the challenges facing civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genesis Project, with its long-standing experience in fieldwork, strives to empower local communities and implement projects that promote social cohesion and active citizenship.
Participants highlighted concerns about the narrowing space for civic action, emphasizing that the rule of law requires an active civil society operating in a safe and supportive environment. It was concluded that it is necessary to explore new models of cooperation between civil society and the private sector, the media, and other partners, both in BiH and at the regional level. The goal of these efforts is to strengthen the position of citizens, ensuring that the voice of every individual is heard.