Bosnia and Herzegovina Launches Joint Programme to Strengthen Jobs and Social Protection for the Green Transition

Sarajevo, 26 November 2025 –As Bosnia and Herzegovina faces important economic and environmental transitions, key government institutions and international partners have launched a new Joint Programme to support a more resilient, inclusive and climate‑responsive labour market and social protection system. On 26 November 2025, representatives of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations, and the World Bank convened in Sarajevo for the inaugural Steering Committee meeting to launch the programme “Managing the Labour Market and Just Climate Transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The event gathered representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Federal Employment Institute, UNICEF, the World Bank, UN Women, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

The Steering Committee was co-chaired by Jelena Rašeta, Head of the Employment Policy and Labour Market Division at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Representing the Ministry, Tarik Smailbegović, Advisor to the Federal Minister for Social Policy, emphasized the importance of strengthening labour market institutions and social protection systems as the country navigates economic and environmental transitions.

Tarik Smailbegović, Advisor to the Federal Minister for Social Policy, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy:
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is entering a period of significant labour market transformation. Strengthening employment services and social protection systems will be essential to support workers and vulnerable households as the economy evolves and climate-related risks increase.”

The Joint Programme responds to growing structural challenges affecting labour markets and communities, including industrial restructuring, shifting skill demands and increasing climate-related shocks. The initiative aims to strengthen coordination between employment policies, labour market institutions and social protection systems to better support workers, families and communities through economic and climate transitions.

Through coordinated interventions, the programme will strengthen public employment services, improve labour market information systems, and develop mechanisms for climate and shock-responsive social protection. The programme will also pilot innovative local models to strengthen public employment services and enhance support for workers and vulnerable households facing economic disruption and climate-related risks.

Marc Lucet, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
“The green transition will reshape labour markets and economic opportunities across the region. By strengthening employment services and linking them with responsive social protection systems, this programme aims to ensure that workers, families with children, and especially the most vulnerable are supported through these changes.”

The programme also emphasizes gender-responsive labour market policies and outreach, recognizing that women often face additional barriers to employment and economic participation.

Jo-Anne Bishop, Representative, UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina:
“ Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina still face major barriers to entering and staying in the labour market, from unpaid care work to limited access to training and employment services. As green and digital transitions accelerate, these gaps risk widening. This programme will help ensure labour market and social protection reforms are gender‑responsive so that all women, including those who are inactive or hard to reach, can benefit from opportunities created by the just transition”

Strengthening labour market data and analytical capacity will also be a key focus, helping institutions anticipate changes and respond more effectively to emerging employment trends.

Christopher Sheldon, World Bank Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro:
“Strong labour market institutions and effective employment services are critical for helping countries manage economic transitions. This programme will support the development of better employment services and systems that help workers adapt to new opportunities.”

The Steering Committee meeting provided an opportunity for partners to review the programme’s objectives, implementation priorities and governance structure, and to align expectations among participating institutions.

The programme is implemented jointly by UNICEF, the World Bank and UN Women, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Federal Employment Institute, and institutions at cantonal and local levels.

The initiative forms part of the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, which supports countries in strengthening labour market systems and social protection to address economic transformation and climate change.

This joint programme is supported by the Joint SDG Fund with  contributions from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, as part of the global efforts to  accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.