USAID LocalWorks funding empowers local actors to take the lead in addressing their local development challenges.

A common perception of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina is that they are apathetic and do little to improve their circumstances or their communities. We at USAID believe apathetic is a misnomer for BiH citizens. Many of them do participate in community development (albeit selectively), while many others would but they feel disempowered, disenfranchised, or disillusioned. Ironically, this is good news, because it means that the desire for change exists and local actors merely need some support for their desire and goodwill to blossom into action. Strengthening community initiatives that bring citizens together to address concrete concerns and improve their neighborhoods, communities, cities, and, ultimately, their country is fundamental to reviving their belief that their actions can, in fact, make all the difference.

USAID ASSISTANCE

USAID Localworks funding helps countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina to become self-reliant, ensuring that the investment of the American people results in long-term, sustainable development that ends the need for assistance. For USAID, self-reliance begins with locally led development, wherein local actors take the lead in defining and addressing the development challenges in their own communities through inclusive and participatory activities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, USAID’s Localworks programs will increase trust among local actors, vigorously mobilize available local resources, and develop local capacity for sustainable growth. 

IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS

USAID first formed an internal cross-office Localworks team (called ‘Snaga Lokalnog’ in local language) of foreign service nationals to meet with local stakeholders in various communities throughout the country. These ‘listening tours’ helped USAID get a sense of community needs, the stakeholders that exist, challenges that are outside the donor realm, and the ideas citizens and communities have for solving their own issues. As a result of this internal learning, USAID designed the interlinked program areas below.

NETWORK DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM

In July 2019, USAID awarded the Peace Building Network with a six-year grant to develop and launch an online platform that will map and link local actors and inspire them to work together. The platform, called snagalokalnog.ba, has linked more than 1,000 local actors so far. On the platform members can obtain information, such as the international and local donors directory with grant opportunities, relevant seminars, interesting articles, an extensive database of CSOs and an extensive mailing list, and a Google map of CSO response activities to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

LOCAL RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS  

In 2019, USAID began selecting Local Resource Organizations (LROs) that provide resources and services to other local organizations and individuals to address community issues. LROs include but are not limited to NGOs, philanthropies, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, private companies, and professional associations. In August 2020, USAID awarded two LRO grants to the Tuzla Foundation Community and the Center for Civic Cooperation in Livno. USAID will award LRO grants throughout the life of the program to help LROs strengthen their role as resource hubs in their respective communities.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM  

In August 2020, USAID/BiH awarded the KULT Youth Institute for Development with a five-year cooperative agreement to strengthen the capacity of local partners. This platform will work one-on-one with local development actors to help them to identify capacity needs, define performance improvement priorities, and create organizational development plans. 

COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY PROMOTION  

To increase local giving and mobilize local resources that are more targeted, visible, and engaging, USAID supports two programs – one to improve the legal and policy environment for community philanthropy, and a second to increase philanthropic activity. The first project was awarded in August 2020 to Mozaik Foundation, who works with several local and regional partners (Pomozi.ba, Hastor Foundation, Peace Building Network, Catalyst Foundation, and Trag Foundation). Project activities will improve cross-sectoral collaboration on the legal and policy environment and legislative advocacy. The second program, planned for 2021, will support fundraising actions to raise public awareness and support for philanthropy.