GIZ Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro’s Post

🌍✨ Today, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund of the Republic of Srpska and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH signed a Memorandum of Understanding, laying the foundation for energy-efficient renovations in multi-apartment buildings in four municipalities: Doboj, Čajniče, Milići, and Sokolac! 🏢💡 Kirstin Bretthauer, Project Manager at GIZ, emphasised the importance of this partnership: “This Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms our shared commitment to supporting the energy transition at the local level. By working together, we aim to improve living conditions for residents in multi-apartment buildings while helping them save on heating costs. Through technical expertise and collaboration, we’re ensuring these communities can realise their energy-efficient renovation plans, contributing to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s broader energy transition efforts.” Srdjan Todorovic, Director of the Fund, highlighted the public interest and long-term impact: “The Fund has been supporting energy efficiency projects for years, both in public and residential sectors. We’ve already seen immense interest in renovating multi-apartment buildings, and this partnership allows us to move forward in that direction. With energy costs rising and the energy transition underway, these projects are not only beneficial but necessary at this time. They will provide lasting value to our communities.” Citizens can use the Motivator, an online tool available on the Fund’s website, https://lnkd.in/dyRbjf4i, to calculate the investment needed for energy-efficient renovations. As part of the "Community Action for Energy Transition" (CAET) project, on behalf of the German Government, GIZ continues promoting sustainable energy measures across Bosnia and Herzegovina, empowering municipalities to embrace a greener, more energy-efficient future. 🌱🏠

⚡️ Stronger Grids, Stronger Future: Western Balkans Join Berlin's Power Talks Berlin buzzed with energy ⚡️ as top leaders from Germany’s power sector came together for the Treffpunkt Netze Berlin conference, hosted by the German Energy and Water Association BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V. With Germany’s renewable energy share hitting an impressive 60%, the focus was on making grids future-ready for the growing surge of wind 🌬️ and solar ☀️ power. A key highlight was the participation of grid operators from the Western Balkans 🌍, bringing regional insights to the table. Renowned speakers Dr Philipp Nimmermann, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and Klaus Müller Bundesnetzagentur led discussions on demand-responsive mechanisms to stabilise grids during renewable energy highs and lows ⚖️. Germany is charging ahead 🔋 with innovative updates to the Energy Industry Act, rolling out smart meters 📊 and offering financial incentives 💡 for smarter grid management. The Western Balkans representatives were actively involved in discussions, focusing on private sector investment in grid upgrades and deepening Distribution and Transmission System Operators'  cooperation for better power flow forecasting 🔍. The message was clear: “No transition without transmission” 💬. A big thank you to BDEW for hosting, and to Elektrodistribucija Srbije doo Beograd for their standout contributions as the Western Balkans stepped up to shape the future of energy grids in Europe🌐. The participation of WB representatives was facilitated through the Green Agenda for Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government.

🚀 The Berlin Process Summit 2024 – A Milestone in Regional Cooperation!   The Berlin Process successfully concluded with the Summit on October 14, 2024, marking the 10th anniversary of this important initiative. We invite you to explore the key outcomes and deliverables on the GIZ Berlin Process website: www.berlinprocess.de   As GIZ, we are proud to have contributed to the significant achievements of this year’s Berlin Process. We supported on behalf of the German Government following key events:   🌱 Green Mobility Summit in Sarajevo, June 6-7, 2024, hosted by the Transport Community 🚺 Gender Equality Forum in Berlin, September 19, 2024, hosted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 🌍 Ministerial Meeting on the Green Agenda in Hamburg, October 8, 2024, hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 🌾 Agriculture Policy Forum in Jahorina, June 5-6, 2024, and the Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Skopje, September 24, 2024, both hosted by the Standing Working Group. 🌐 Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, October 1, 2024, hosted by German Federal Foreign Office 👥 Youth Forum in Berlin, October 12-13, 2024, hosted by Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO   Let’s continue to cooperate and work together for a stronger, more connected, and prosperous region! 💪   #berlinprocess #BPgenderequality #RYCO #SWG #RCC #auswaertigesamt #GAWB

🚢 Onsite Visit to the Free Zone Port of Bar   We are excited to share that we had important onsite visit to the Free Zone Port of Bar. Organized by the Customs Administration of Montenegro and supported by the recently concluded German Alliance for Trade Facilitation Project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government, this visit showcased the successful introduction of the Pre-Arrival Processing (PAP) procedure for maritime shipments, significantly streamlining customs processes in Montenegro.   Among the distinguished attendees were H.E. Peter Felten, German Ambassador to Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Dawn McKen, British Ambassador, and Mr. Borut Valenčič, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Slovenia. The event was hosted by Ms. Maja Vučinić, Acting Director General of the Montenegro Customs Administration.   🎯 The visit focused on the results and impact of the German, as well as UK support, with discussions on ongoing cooperation and activities of the Montenegro Customs Administration. Participants toured the Port terminals, gaining insights into the scanning procedures within the Free Zone, and learning about the operational efficiency introduced through this project.   Key achievements highlighted include: Time and cost reductions in customs procedures CO2 emissions savings from streamlined processes Increased productivity through digitalization   This visit underlined the importance of international collaboration in enhancing trade facilitation, improving customs processes, and contributing to more efficient, competitive and safer trade in the region. Snezana Vujanovic   #TradeFacilitation #CustomsReform #PortOfBar #Montenegro #GIZ #PreArrivalProcessing #InternationalCooperation #EconomicDevelopment

We recently held a successful regional training focused on improving market surveillance procedures for product safety. Participants explored risk assessment strategies and shared best practices for cooperation among Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs) in the region. We also highlighted our work on the JA MS Project, where we sampled hand-held electric drills to check compliance, assessed safety issues, and explored tools for tracking product safety. Our combined efforts, supported by EU and German Government, aim to ensure all products meet safety standards and protect public interests. Together, we’re building a stronger market surveillance system that promotes fair competition and consumer protection. vukovojac beti #MarketSurveillance #QualityInfrastructure 

🌍 Europe is moving to the rhythm of sustainable urban transport, and the Western Balkans, though still learning the steps, are catching up fast, stated Milenka Mila Knezevic from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, opening the conference Journey towards a Greener Future and Climate Neutrality: Innovative Solutions and Transport Financing Models conference in Split. In his welcome speech, Nedim Begovic from the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, set the tone for the day’s focus on sustainable mobility and climate neutrality, highlighting the importance of transport innovation for the green transition 🌿🚲 Pablo PEREZ-ILLANA from CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency walked us through the EU’s transformative vision for sustainable and digital mobility, emphasising how CINEA drives competitiveness through mobility strategies and supports the complete project lifecycle—from idea to impact. 🚉💡 The sessions brought contributions from Lucia Calliari, Interreg IPA ADRION Programme, Horst Schindler, Interreg Danube Region Programme, and Elton Skendaj from Mediterranean University, highlighting funding opportunities and digital innovations reshaping transport systems across Europe. 💻⚙️The participants explored the institutionalisation of digital transformation in smart mobility with Tanja Maraš, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Damaris Anna Gruber, AustriaTech, followed by Aljaž Plevnik's presentation on the ProSUMP framework for integrated sustainable urban mobility in the WB.🚗💡 The panel questioning why SEE lags behind in replicating large-scale climate and mobility solutions featured valuable insights from Vedrana Franic (City of Split), Davor Kontic (Jozef Stefan Institute), Magdalena Makar (ODRAZ-Sustainable Community Development ), and Mervan Drpljanin (Podgorica Traffic Secretariat), focusing on strategies for local success. 🔄🌍The day concluded with a study visit to Promet Split, where participants experienced firsthand the innovative public transport solutions transforming the city, ending with a short bus ride through Split! 🚌✨ The conference is organised in cooperation with CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-South East Europe, the Transport Community, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the German Government, in the framework of the Open Regional Fund for Energy, Transport and Climate Protection.

🌍 GIZ Workshop on Best Practices in Transposing EU Consumer Protection Law 🛡️   On October 1st and 2nd, we hosted a workshop on “Best Practices Exchange in the Transposition of EU Consumer Protection Law.” The focus was on Directive (EU) 2019/770 (contracts for the supply of digital content/services) and Directive (EU) 2019/771 (contracts for the sale of goods).   📅 The timing couldn’t have been better! Just days after the workshop, the CEFTA Joint Committee adopted the Facilitation of E-commerce Agreement, creating a unified framework to enhance online business across CEFTA markets. This will not only make inter-party shopping easier for consumers but also ensure stronger consumer protection when buying online. At the workshop, participants gained insights from the European Commission representatives and learned about best practices from CEFTA parties as well as EU Member States like Croatia and Slovakia. The agenda included expert lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions where the World Café method was adapted to reflect policy, market, and awareness-specific factors.   🎯 Attendees ranged from policy officers, civil servants, and consumer protection authorities across the CEFTA region, all working towards improving consumer protection laws and policies.   Great to see such progress in aligning regional and EU frameworks for the benefit of both businesses and consumers! 💼🔗 This workshop is a part of the ORF FT programme, supported by the EU and the German Government. #EUConsumerProtection #Ecommerce #DigitalServices #CEFTA #BestPractices #ConsumerRights #GIZ

We are excited to see the long-awaited adoption of the CEFTA decisions. This marks a significant step forward in enhancing regional collaboration. We remain committed to providing support for their successful implementation and advancing regional and EU integration efforts. Tanja Boskovic, PhD Milica Dragojevic Aleksandar Ćorsović Snezana Nikolic Florian Brütting Aida Bejtula Vartan Surmejan Ilir Rexha vukovojac beti Eranda Begaj Lejla Caluk Lovis Weigold Ljupka Trajanova