The University of Sarajevo is participating in the development of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Development Strategy through 2034

Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Federal Institute for Development Programming and the University of Sarajevo

A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Federal Institute for Development Programming and the University of Sarajevo was signed today in Sarajevo, establishing a framework for cooperation in the areas of development planning, public policy, scientific research and expert analytical work, and the evaluation and impact assessment of policies, programs, projects, and public investments.

The Memorandum was signed by Acting Director of the Federal Institute for Development Programming Rijad Kovač and University of Sarajevo Rector Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović.

The Memorandum envisages the development of cooperation between the Federal Institute and the University of Sarajevo through joint research projects, studies, analyses, expert background documents, and recommendations, as well as the organization of conferences, workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, seminars, consultations, and other professional events. Cooperation may also include the exchange of professional knowledge, methodologies, publicly available data, publications, and experience, as well as the involvement of teaching and research staff, experts, students, and young researchers in activities of mutual interest.

A special component of the cooperation concerns public policy analysis, evaluation, assessment, and impact analysis during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and improvement of development policies. The Memorandum provides for the possibility of jointly developing methodologies, preparing analyses and expert background documents, assessing the developmental, social, institutional, and regional effects of public policies, programs, projects, and public investments, and preparing recommendations based on data, research, and evaluation findings.

The Memorandum also envisages the possible use of modern digital tools, analytical platforms, simulation models, artificial intelligence, and other research and analytical methods in preparing analyses, indicators, strategic documents, and development policies.

Cooperation may also be implemented through the University of Sarajevo’s constituent members, including faculties, academies, institutes, centers, departments, and other organizational units that possess relevant professional, research, and development capacities. The signatories may also jointly consider opportunities to prepare for and participate in domestic, regional, and international development and research projects.

The signing of the Memorandum took place within the framework of the Conference marking the beginning of the development of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Development Strategy through 2034, organized by the Federal Institute for Development Programming. During the conference, the methodology, timeline, key stages, and participants in the Strategy development process were presented. Through its participation in this process, the University of Sarajevo is contributing its research and professional capacities to the preparation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Development Strategy through 2034. Within the conference, other public and private universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina also signed memoranda of cooperation with the Federal Institute for Development Programming, further opening space for the academic community’s involvement in the Strategy development process.

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Development Strategy through 2034 is an integrated, multisectoral strategic document that will define the long-term development directions, strategic goals, and priorities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and guide the actions of the relevant institutions.

Precisely in this context, cooperation between the Federal Institute for Development Programming and the University of Sarajevo should enable stronger connections among institutional, research, and professional capacities in areas relevant to the development of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.