"This is a very important event for us given that this is the first time in 50 years that the forestry in BiH is tackled in a strategic manner ", explains Mr Damir Ljubic, the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry in Federation of BiH.

"The Federation Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry has initiated this process with the goal to adjust the BiH sector policies with the EU ones", stated Mr. Omer Pasalic, the Chairperson of the Council for preparation of the FBiH Forest Program and the Director of the Federation Forest Administration Office. "One of the underlining principles is that this whole process rests upon active participation of, not only forestry experts, but also wider public. Forests are one of the most important natural resources in FBiH. This strategic document prepared in accordance with participatory methodology, will bring us one step closer to the EU."

Ms Semsa Alic, SNV BiH Country Representative, shared with the representatives of the media that SNV will continue to support the stakeholders in BiH at all levels, and especially at the local level, in EU integrations processes. The support of the FBiH Forest Program is only a part of the SNV BiH activities.

SNV has designed the participatory methodology and facilitated the event. There were around 60 participants from forestry sector throughout the FBiH, Gender Center of the FBiH, regional development agencies, BiH Science and Arts Academy, NGOs, and international organizations, including WB, UNDP, USAID/FIRMA and EU Delegation in BiH. The discussion was rated as very open and successful both by the Ministry and participants, laying down grounds for further transparent and inclusive process of the preparation of this important development policy in BiH.

The framework budget for preparation of the Forest Program is about 360,000 €, provided from the World Bank loan, the Federation of BiH budget and partly supported by SNV.