BREZA ADOPTED ITS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR PERIOD 2006 – 2011

The Municipal Council of Breza unanimously adopted its Development Strategy based on respect and promotion of human rights, for the period 2006 – 2011, on Wednesday, September 21, 2006. This document evolved from the cooperation of citizens, non-governmental organisations, entrepreneurs and representatives of municipal authorities, health, social and education institutions. The Strategy creation process was supported by UNDP Rights-based Municipal Development Program (RMAP_2006).

The Strategy aims to remove identified shortages in multiple sectors relevant for municipal development including the economy; public administration and civil society; education, culture and sports; social and health protection and infrastructure and protection of the environment. From a human rights perspective a special attention is being paid to inclusion of the needs and worries of the most vulnerable groups, such as children with special needs, elderly, unemployed women and youth. Over 100 citizens of Breza were involved in the creation of the Strategy.

The councillors evaluated the content of the Strategy as comprehensive, and assured to take into consideration strategic directions and objective while planning the budget and other municipal activities. Councillors further highlighted the necessity to avoid having a strategy on paper only and committed themselves to engaging meeting up to the consensus of citizens, as identified in the Strategy Document.

The Strategy also contains an annual action plan for 2006/2007. Through its implementation significant priority issues identified by the community will be tackled. In addition, the municipality of Breza and UNDP will continue their cooperation regarding technical and financial assistance in the implementation of the Strategy, starting from October 2006.

A Rights-based approach to development aims at developing capacities of all stakeholders to create an environment conductive for the enjoyment of human rights. The result of such a participatory approach is a multi-sectoral, long-term Development Strategy which defines municipalities’ vision, development goals and objectives, as well as concrete projects striving for economical, social and cultural progress.

The Rights-based Municipal Development Program (RMAP_2006) cooperates currently with 15 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is building their capacities for policy development, planning and project management, as well as providing support to the long-term inclusion of marginalised groups of the society and achievement of equal development at the local level. The Program is currently being supported by governments of Japan and Norway and UNDP.