Report abuses in post-flood reconstruction
Representatives of the Vermont Youth Center in Brčko, a partner and member of the BRANA Network, attended a meeting at the offices of the Centers for Civil Initiatives, where they discussed activities, fieldwork, and the problems we face. During 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina was hit by natural disasters that caused devastating floods and landslides, destroying infrastructure, homes, and business assets in 78
Indicative cases of approved aid amount to over 900 million euros, while public institutions have additionally raised over 7 million euros—yet the actual amounts are certainly even higher, as only part of the aid publicly pledged and/or secured has been presented. However, there is no objective, fact-based information about the disbursement of pledged/donated funds or the participation of the stakeholders themselves—citizens—in this process. In this situation, a sense of confusion and corruption prevails, making it difficult to objectively assess the authorities’ (and donors’) accountability and efficiency in disbursing donor funds, as well as the impact on the citizens themselves, who have been left without their homes and the means to live.
In response to all of the above, the Centers for Civic Initiatives, together with partner organizations (the Center for Civic Advocacy, the Center for Media Development and Analysis, and Infohouse), created a network of at least non-governmental organizations called “Brana” to monitor and analyze the recovery process in the municipalities most affected by flood damage.
The BRANA Network aims, through its project activities, to contribute to transparency in the recovery process for areas devastated by floods, thereby strengthening overall transparency and accountability in the work of public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the private sector and donors. This aim will be achieved through monitoring and information-gathering activities, analysis of inputs, and the presentation of findings and facilitation of public dialogue.
Monitoring will be carried out at both local and higher levels to identify all donations. To this end, meetings will be held with representatives of local and higher authorities, and information will be exchanged with other members of civil society and the media. In addition, a so-called “hotline” will be set up—a toll-free number citizens can use to report problems or share success stories. Online tools will also be available to citizens.
The information collected will be stored in a database created specifically for this project and will then be used to analyze progress. Finally, network members will ensure that key information reaches and is considered by the main decision-makers—the parliamentary committees of the entities and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina—as well as international and bilateral donors, through presentations, roundtables, and reports.
To report irregularities in the use of funds intended for flood recovery, call the hotline number 080 05 05 06.
- You can read the website’s terms of use here.
- You can download the BRANA project budget here.
- The members of the ‘BRANA’ Network currently are:
- Centers for Civil Initiatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CCI) – www.cci.ba
- Center for Civic Advocacy (CPI) – www.cpi.ba
- Center for Media Development and Analysis (CRMA) – www.zurnal.info
- INFOHOUSE Association – www.infohouse.ba
- Youth Communication Center, Banja Luka – www.okcbl.org
- Women’s Association “Priroda”, Bratunac – www.uzpriroda.com
- Citizens’ Association “Center for Youth Education”, Travnik – www.cem.ba
- Center for Local and Regional Development “CELOR”, Derventa – www.celorbih.com
- Center for Development and Support Association, Tuzla – www.crp.org.ba
- Institute for Youth Development KULT Association, Ilidža – www.mladi.org
- Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republika Srpska, Bijeljina – www.helcommrs.org
- Association Independent Bureau for Development, Gradačac – www.nbrudruzenje.org
- Association Center for the Development of Civil Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Doboj – www.crcd-bih.com
- “ABC” Association, Bihać – www.abc.ba
- Citizens' Association “Tolerance Against Diversity” (ToPeer), Doboj – www.topeer.ba
- Citizens’ Association “Democracy-Organization-Progress” (DON), Prijedor – www.donprijedor.com
- “Vermont” Youth Center, Brčko – www.vermontbrcko.com
- Citizens’ Association “Justicia”, Srebrenik – www.justicia-bih.org
- Association Forum of Citizens of Tuzla, Tuzla – www.forumtz.com
- Association for the Protection of Guarantors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šamac – www.ziranti.org
- Association “Center for Information and Legal Aid”, Zvornik – www.cipp-zv.org
- “Forum of Citizens of Zenica” Association (FGZ), Zenica – www.forumgze.com
