The fifth Aarhus Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina opened today in Mostar, further strengthening the nationwide network that supports citizens in exercising their environmental rights.
The opening marks an important step in advancing the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It contributes to improved environmental governance, increased public participation in decision-making, and greater institutional accountability in matters related to environmental protection.
Since its founding in 2013, the Dinarica Association, now serving as the host organization of the Aarhus Centre in Mostar, has been actively engaged in environmental protection and sustainable development. The organization promotes responsible management of natural resources, supports democratic processes, and works to empower local communities.
Đorđe Stefanović, Executive Director of the Dinarica Association, said: "Our mission is to protect nature - from water and forests to waste and air quality - and what makes our work special is the promotion of the participation of all social groups in these processes, in the spirit of the Aarhus Convention and the activities of the Aarhus Centers, which connect different areas of environmental protection through the public's right to information, participation and justice."
Hakan Berg, Head of the Environmental Affairs Section of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted: "Establishing the Aarhus Centre in Mostar is an important step not only for improving environmental protection, but also for strengthening democratic governance, transparency, and citizens' trust in institutions."
The opening of the Aarhus Centre in Mostar further strengthens society's resilience to climate and environmental challenges and creates new opportunities for citizens to participate more actively in decisions that affect their environment and quality of life.
