Aced hosted PREPARE workshop which was attended by more than 60 representatives of civil society from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina , and from all sectors represented in the rural setting . In addition to representatives of civil society , in the workshop actively participated representatives of relevant ministries , as from each entity and the Brcko District . In front of the PREPARE network , the workshop was attended by representatives from Slovenia , Latvia, Croatian , Great Britain and Serbia .
Topics that were presented and which were discussed during the first day of the workshop include :
– Mission , objectives , activities , structure and networking PREPARE ;
– Mode of Latvian Rural Forum , which is a member of PREPARE ;
– How to involve young people in rural development , with special emphasis on the Latvian experience ;
– Current rural initiatives in BiH and the specific activities of civil society organizations .
During the second workingday , the participants were divided into three working groups , each actively worked on the analysis and preparation of proposals to improve the situation regarding one of the following topics :
– Networking in BiH ;
– The application of LEADER methodology in BiH ;
– Rural development policy in BiH
In terms of networking workshop participants agreed that it is necessary to build a network for rural development in BiH , then connect all existing structures and capacities in the field of rural development and to identify members of the network who will work actively on improvement of the current state of the sector . Participants also expressed certain expectations by PREPARE , in support to the analysis of the operation of networks in other countries , as well as access to scholarships that will create a certain number of actors in this sector could get better acquainted with the work of successful networks in other countries .
When it comes to the LEADER methodology , the participants concluded that BiH is ready for the introduction of the concept of rural development because it is already present in BiH and is implemented in a significant number of regions , but it needs better support from domestic institutions , which is in a challenge because of the current complex governance structures in BiH . The attendees also agreed that LAGs can work successfully only if its members invest significant effort and work , build networks and share experiences and work towards a predefined plan or strategy .
Workshop participants also expressed the need for guidelines for the LEADER methodology in BiH have to formalize as soon as possible , that rural development should be given greater importance through concrete development activities of institutions , budget and institutional support and the appropriate set of regulations governing this area . The attitude of the participants was that a large number of these items can be accelerated if the civil society to be in partnership with the authorities .
B/H/S