Zenica Dialogue Process
In the Bosnian city of Zenica, we support a dialogue process to address environmental concerns between local and federal authorities, a company and a civil society organisation.
The issue
The population of Zenica depends on steel manufacturing for jobs and heating for the city, yet is negatively affected by elevated levels of air pollution. The local civil society organisation EkoForum Zenica requested our support for a dialogue to improve the situation.
The participants
At our first visit, all key stakeholders – the local authorities of Zenica, the civil society organisation EkoForum, the steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal Zenica, the Zenica University Institute responsible for air quality monitoring and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism confirmed interest to revitalize a dialogue. The purpose of the dialogue is to work together to improve air quality, address other environmental concerns in Zenica and contribute to an economically prosperous and “green” Zenica which provides a healthy and sustainable environment for its citizens.
Our support
With our help, the participants selected a team of facilitators to engage in a dialogue to increase trust, develop ways of collaboration and agree on mutually acceptable solutions. PeaceNexus has acted as a convener of the dialogue responsible for communication and logistics related to dialogue events. This also meant helping the stakeholders to identify their common goals, set ground rules and define a dialogue process. During its first year, the stakeholders met five times and PeaceNexus provided technical support throughout the process.
The results
The following changes have been achieved so far:
- Stakeholders agreed on ground rules, established a process to follow-up on agreed steps and established a process regarding public statements
- Most of the key measures of ArcelorMittal’s Environmental permit have been implemented or are in process
- Zenica’s real-time display of air quality is functional
- Register of air polluters for Zenica-Doboj Canton was created, and is ready for further updates
- Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) was published by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism
- A mechanism was developed for continuing a substantive dialogue after our support
- Stakeholders issued a joint press statement on their planned collaboration
