DevPolHack in Sarajevo: Innovative Solutions for a Stronger Civic Voice
This event, as part of PRAGG’s commitment to partnerships, builds a foundation for sustained civic engagement and empowers citizens to make their voices central to policy decisions across Bosnia and Herzegovina and Southeast Europe.
As spaces for civic engagement shrink worldwide, the DevPolHack event in Sarajevo, organized by the PRAGG project with support from Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network, offered a vital platform for collaboration and creative problem-solving. This full-day event brought together representatives from civil society, private sector, media, and authorities to explore innovative ways of working together.
Helvetas’ Regional Advocacy Network developed its unique methodology: a social hackathon designed to tackle advocacy challenges through collaborative, hands-on approaches. Learn more at devpolhack.com.
Key Takeaways from DevPolHack
Representatives of civil society, private sector, media, and government gathered to reassess solutions for one of Goražde’s key issues – waste management. For over ten years, plans for a regional landfill have stalled, and preliminary solutions have raised safety concerns among local residents. In response, community members established the association “Living with Nature” in the Glamoč-Goražde settlement, aiming to advocate for a sustainable solution, expand their activities, connect with environmental activists across Bosnia and Herzegovina, and keep citizens informed about developments through their Facebook page.
DevPolHack united people to rethink strategies for civic action in today’s challenging environment. Guided by experienced mentors and inspired by jury insights, three groups together with the residents collaborated to tackle the question: How can the Association of Citizens “Living with Nature” in Glamoč-Goražde encourage local authorities to commit to a clear, accountable plan for building an EU-standard regional landfill?
Through open discussions and teamwork, the groups developed thoughtful solutions, demonstrating the power of partnerships to sustain democracy and civic engagement across Southeast Europe.
DevPolHack provided its partnering association with practical advocacy skills which fostered collaboration among civil society, government, and private businesses to address pressing issues together.
The Importance of DevPolHack for Regional Policy Innovation
PRAGG is excited to bring this approach and methodology to more communities in BiH, empowering citizens, supporting sustainability, and keeping people’s voices at the heart of local policies.
So far, in more than 30 municipalities over the entire BiH, PRAGG has backed local initiatives helping local communities make their own positive change.
