On October 24, 2024, CREDI hosted a national event as part of the regional project “The Perfect Storm: Food and Energy (In)Securities Threaten the Economies of the Western Balkans.” This initiative is financed by SmartBalkans and implemented in collaboration with members of regional network Webecon. The online session gathered researchers, policymakers, and representatives from various non-governmental organizations, all focused on discussing critical issues surrounding food and energy security that directly impact households in BiH and the broader Western Balkan region.
The event featured a comprehensive presentation of the study conducted by Nermin Oruč and Amela Kurta, which explored the pressing challenges of food and energy security within the region. Nermin provided data-driven insights into how inflation and rising costs affect household budgets, particularly emphasizing impact on vulnerable households. Following this, Amela shared trends revealing significant inflation impacts and regional comparisons, which laid the groundwork for a lively panel discussion. The discussion included Ajla Sijarić from CENER 21, who addressed energy poverty and the necessity of financial support for vulnerable groups, and Professor Alen Mujčinović from the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science – University of Sarajevo, who highlighted the role of small-scale farming as a response to food access challenges in rural areas.
The discussions highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, showcasing the contributions of various stakeholders to address food and energy insecurities. Participants shared perspectives on energy poverty and food access, identifying gaps in current social policies and advocating for better-targeted subsidies and data collection efforts. As the event concluded, there was a strong consensus on the importance of ongoing collaboration among research institutions, NGOs, and policymakers to develop effective social policies that will enhance resilience and improve the livelihoods of households across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.
