Description
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rivers, once known for their purity and ecological richness, are increasingly threatened by unregulated industrial activity, illegal landfills, deforestation, and a wave of poorly planned small hydropower plants. Despite the country’s exceptional freshwater resources, water governance remains fragmented, with outdated legislation and widespread corruption undermining conservation efforts. Citizens and local groups face significant barriers to environmental justice, as participation in decision-making and access to legal recourse are limited.
The Aarhus Center in BiH, a leading environmental NGO with strong expertise in environmental law, aims through this project to strengthen legal protection for rivers and water systems across the country. Building on more than a decade of experience and numerous successful legal interventions, the Center will continue to provide free legal assistance to citizens and NGOs, advocate for stronger legislation, including the long-awaited adoption of the new Water Law in the Federation of BiH, and promote greater public accountability in environmental governance.
The project also seeks to raise awareness and mobilize communities through public campaigns, regional networking, and capacity building. By combining legal action, policy advocacy, and citizen empowerment, the Aarhus Center strives to halt environmentally harmful projects, improve water management policies, and pave the way for the creation of new legally protected river areas.
