A greater CSO's participation in rural development policies (june 2013)
The last 28th of May in Sarajevo-Iliđa, a conference was held to enhance the ACoRD project „Alliance for Common Rural Development“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is one of 16 projects funded by the European Union from pre-accession programmes for support to civil society development. For an approximate amount of 200 000 Euros, the project will last two-years . It is implemented by the Agency for Cooperation, Education and Development (ACED) as lead organization in partnership with REDAH, Nesto Vise, LAG Una-Sana and European partner ELARD - European LEADER Association for Rural Development.
The aim is the establishment of a network of NGOs, which should increase active participation of citizens in reforms of the rural development sector in BiH. Organizations dealing with rural development issues will be, together, able to speak in a stronger voice to government institutions in order to implement reforms by following a bottom-up approach and a real adequation to their current needs.
According to EU representatives participating to the conference, rural development has great potential to support the overall and local economic development of Bosnia-and-Herzegovina to reduce unemployment and offer the families an alternative to rural exodus.
For Alterural, it is essential to participate to this forum and exchanges because the sector particularly targets family agriculture and possible diversification strategies in Bosnian Countryside. The support to a sustainable Rural tourism can indeed be an important and dynamic element of local rural economies.It also recognizes the role and involvement of active local NGOs in rural areas, which is a strong belief for our association.
For more information:
http://www.delbih.ec.europa.eu/News.aspx?newsid=5722&lang=EN