Action plan – Travnik, Bosnia Herzegovina, 2025 – 2026

At-a-Glance

Duration

Oct 2028

Date Submitted

10th February 2025

Foreword(s)

The Municipality of Travnik has proudly become a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) with a clear commitment to advancing open government principles and fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. This action plan outlines our shared vision for creating a more open and participatory governance structure for the citizens of Travnik. This approach stems from both parties’ dedication to establishing a more accessible public administration, where citizens not only have full access to public information but also the opportunity to actively contribute to decision-making processes that impact their daily lives. This plan emphasizes enhancing citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More and empowering civil society within local government processes. Key areas of focus include implementing mechanisms for participatory budgeting, improving access to public information, and enabling independent monitoring of municipal projects and policies. Representatives from local government and civil society will work together to create an environment where citizens are actively engaged in shaping and executing policies that affect their communities. This collaboration aims to facilitate more effective and inclusive decision-making, ensuring that the needs and interests of citizens are at the heart of municipal policies. We also aim to enhance the services of local self-government by increasing transparency and accountability in public administration through the use of new technologies. From implementing online platforms for citizens to access services, submit requests, and engage with the municipality, to using advanced data analytics and management systems to streamline information and improve decision-making processes; offering electronic government services to enhance efficiency and accessibility for citizens. We want our citizens to have easy access to information, services, and real-time updates.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The long-term vision of open government is open, efficient, and accountable administration, and an inclusive process of public policy-making at the local level, as well as strengthening cooperation between local government and civil society organizations in various areas of public interest.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

The Municipality of Travnik has established an e-service within 48 hours to ensure easier accessibility for citizens and, in particular, to enhance municipal and other services through direct communication with the citizens. Additionally, a highly significant matter for the Municipality of Travnik is the activities related to the prevention of corrupt practices. That is precisely why an online reporting system has been implemented, allowing citizens to anonymously report any corrupt activities. Reports can be submitted by mail, via email, or through an online form available on the municipality’s website or in a box located at the entrance of the Citizen Service Center. We have also published a public register of all employed individuals in the Municipality of Travnik. The Register is a preventive anti-corruption mechanism aimed at establishing a system that will reduce the risk of corruption.

The Municipality of Travnik, together with the NGOs, has been organizing IT Reboot for the third year. At the last fair, Travnik became the first “Digital TaxPlacing transparency, accountability, and participation at the center of tax policy can ensure that burdens are distributed equitably across society. Technical specifications: Commitments related to c... Free City” in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Municipality of Travnik plans to modernize and simplify the process of establishing businesses within the municipality.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

The Municipality of Travnik has made significant progress in advancing open governance; however, there are still challenges and areas for improvement that need to be addressed to fully align with OGP Local principles and realize its aspirations. The primary area for improvement identified is digital governanceAs evolving technologies present new opportunities for governments and citizens to advance openness and accountability, OGP participating governments are working to create policies that deal with the ... More, with a focus on modernizing and streamlining public service deliveryTo ensure that citizens of all groups are better supported by the government, OGP participating governments are working to improve the quality of and access to public services. Commitments in this are... More through the development of a unified online platform, e-Travnik. The platform will consolidate all municipal services in one place, creating a single point of access for citizens. It will provide comprehensive and regularly updated information on municipal services, ensuring transparency and accessibility. Citizens will be able to submit applications, track their requests, and receive real-time updates, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving efficiency.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

Enhance services through transparency, accountability, and technology. Implement online platforms for easy access, real-time updates, and improved service delivery. Use data analytics to streamline processes and improve decision-making. Aim for efficient, accessible electronic government services for citizens.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

• Transparency: By centralizing important data such as parking availability, air quality, open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici..., and public calls, the platform provides citizens with easy access to information about their city. This fosters transparency in government operations, as citizens can easily monitor and evaluate public services and municipal decisions.
• Accountability: Through the platform, citizens will be able to submit requests for various services directly to the municipality , track the progress of their applications, and receive real-time updates (e-student application) .This creates a clear mechanism for accountability, ensuring that the local government can be held responsible for its actions and the timely delivery of services.
• Citizen Engagement: The ability for citizens to access real-time data and apply for public calls, as well as submit service requests, enhances their participation in the local governance process.
• Efficiency: The platform’s ability to streamline administrative processes, such as submitting requests for services or applying for public calls, improves the efficiency of government operations. It reduces bureaucratic delays and barriers, providing citizens with a faster, more user-friendly experience, which aligns with the strategic goal of providing efficient public services.
• Use of Technology: The e-Travnik platform leverages technology to modernize and optimize public services, which is a core element of the Open Government Strategic Vision.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The Open Government strategic vision enhances the effectiveness of the current administration’s policy goals by ensuring transparency, increasing public trust, and fostering collaboration among all relevant stakeholders.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Office of the Mayor, Department of Development, Economy and Non-Economy Affairs

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

Citizen Advisory Board:  A structured working group where civil society organizations (CSOs) and a municipal representative collaborate on key aspects of the action plan.

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

Citizen Advisory Board:  A structured working group where civil society organizations (CSOs) and a municipal representative collaborate on key aspects of the action plan.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

The Citizen Advisory Board  consists of 16 citizens from various organizations, ensuring that representatives from different groups are included and have a voice. This diverse representation guarantees that all relevant communities, including vulnerable or marginalized populations, are adequately represented in the decision-making process.

Who participated in these spaces?

We made sure that all relevant organizations were represented, with a particular focus on including vulnerable and marginalized groups. The advisory board includes organizations which works on improving conditions for children with special needs, as well as associations focused on youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More issues, humanitarian organizations, and representatives from the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More, among others. This diverse representation ensures a broad perspective and inclusive decision-making process.

How many groups participated in these spaces?

1

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?

1

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

They will collaborate through the Advisory Council of Citizens, where both government and non-governmental stakeholders will come together to provide input, share expertise, and offer recommendations. This council will serve as a platform for open dialogue and ensure that the voices of various stakeholders, including citizens, vulnerable groups, and organizations, are heard throughout the implementation of the action plan. Regular meetings and collaborative discussions will help align efforts and facilitate effective problem-solving.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

Centar za edukaciju mladih Travnik (CEM)

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Adis Arnautović, [email protected]

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

To discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders, we will organize regular meetings, including:

1. Quarterly Progress Meetings: These will bring together all key stakeholders to review and discuss the progress made, challenges encountered, and necessary adjustments to ensure the action plan stays on track.
2. Workshops and Focus Groups: These will allow stakeholders to dive deeper into specific issues, share feedback, and collaborate on solutions in a more interactive and detailed setting
3. Surveys and Feedback Mechanisms: Stakeholders will be invited to participate in surveys and provide continuous feedback to ensure that all perspectives are taken into account (viber group)

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

We will regularly check in on progress through regular meetings of the Advisory Council of Citizens, which will monitor the implementation of activities. This advisory body will play a key role in tracking progress, discussing ongoing challenges, and ensuring that the activities are being carried out effectively

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

We will share the results of our monitoring efforts with the public through a variety of channels to ensure transparency and keep everyone informed:

Social Media and Digital Platforms: Updates, infographics, and key progress indicators will be shared on social media platforms, official websites, and digital newsletters to reach a broad audience and keep them informed about ongoing activities.

Press Releases and Media Outreach: Key milestones and results will be shared through press releases and media partnerships.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

Letter to OGP

Commitments:

– Development of an e-portal for online applications and citizen requests (BATNK0001)
– Deliberative Democracy (BATNK0002)