The 1st Regional Center of Excellence for Policy Evaluation and Research of the UNSA Faculty of Economics was opened with the support of USAID in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The first regional Center of Excellence for policy evaluation and research was opened at the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo. The center was established within the framework of the PEER project supported by the USAID Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The CoE aims to encourage the creation of policies based on evidence and the real needs of all actors in society, directly contributing to the greater responsibility of public office holders, but also to greater transparency and the reduction of corruption.
On this occasion, the results of the largest study on BiH so far were presented. companies in our country, giving specific recommendations for the formulation of policies and programs aimed at improving the quality of business operations of domestic companies, but also the quality of life of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Jasmina Selimović, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo, Courtney Chubb, Director of the USAID/BiH Mission and Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We are officially opening the Center for Policy Evaluation and Research in the week when we celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo. The center is the first of its kind in our region, so we especially thank the USAID Mission in our country for all the support, knowledge, transfer of knowledge and everything they provided us in the past years of the project. The existence of such a Center is extremely important, especially for decision-makers, because the decisions that need to take this country forward must not be exclusively politically motivated, but primarily based on evidence. We owe special thanks to the Prime Minister, who with his support shows the Government's clear commitment to making decisions that are based on evidence and scientifically based facts” - pointed out Dean, Prof. Selimović.
Future plans of the Center were presented by Prof. Dr. Hatidža Jahić, and they include continuing the discussion about the results and what the business survey offers in the context of comprehensive and relevant data, encouraging greater cooperation and partnerships with other research institutions and organizations, advocating for the adoption of evidence-based practices and policies at all levels of government and in all lessons relevant to Bosnia and Herzegovina. society, expansion of public engagement in order to make research findings more accessible and applicable to the general public in BiH, etc. All this will enable BiH. institutions to, using the expertise of local experts, come up with the best solutions in achieving the country's sustainable development and bringing it closer to the EU.
