Beyond the Certificate: How BFC Transforms Local Administrations

What happens when a local government treats BFC SEE not simply as a certification exercise, but as a framework for improving the way it operates?

The new case study, “Beyond the Certificate: How BFC Transforms Local Administrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” explores this question through the experiences of three BFC-certified local governments — Prijedor, Gradiška and Žepče. Based on programme and local administration data, as well as interviews with local officials, the study examines whether BFC engagement can lead to lasting institutional change — and what makes that change possible.

The findings point to an important conclusion: the value of BFC goes far beyond the certificate itself. When local governments use the framework as a practical tool for organisational reform, it can contribute to clearer procedures, stronger cross-departmental coordination, structured public–private dialogue and better alignment between development strategies, budgets and day-to-day administration.

The three case studies offer different perspectives on this process. Prijedor demonstrates the importance of continuity and institutional learning after four certification cycles. Gradiška shows how strong leadership can turn BFC into a driver of system-wide reform, while Žepče demonstrates that meaningful improvements are possible even with limited resources when existing capacities are well organised.

The study also highlights concrete results: Gradiška’s business zone grew from being described as “almost empty” to hosting 27 companies, while the city secured more than BAM 35 million in donor-funded projects. In Žepče, clearer procedures and a one-stop-shop contributed to more efficient investor services, while Prijedor strengthened its institutional approach to investor support and public–private dialogue.

What makes BFC effective? What role do leadership, continuity and shared ownership play? And how can certification become a long-term investment in stronger local institutions? Discover the answers, lessons and practical examples in the full case study.