The second community event within the process of presenting and contextualising the Framework for Green Industrial Policies in the Western Balkans was held on 19 November 2025 at Hotel Grand Tuzla, gathering representatives of public institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, and local authorities. The Framework for Green Industrial Policies in the Western Balkans was developed by the GAP Institute with the support of Open Society Foundations.
The event was organised by CREDI and Center for Ecology and Energy (CEE) and focused on one of the most socially sensitive dimensions of the green transition – energy poverty. The event explored how the framework’s recommendations relate to the realities faced by vulnerable households in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Participants reflected on current policy gaps, practical challenges, and the need for clearer, citizen-centred approaches that ensure the transition towards cleaner energy systems remains fair, inclusive, and accessible. The discussion emphasised that Tuzla, historically among the regions most affected by industrial activity, requires stronger recognition in national transition planning and more coordinated support for local initiatives.
Throughout the expert inputs and open discussion, participants highlighted critical issues, including widespread household energy vulnerability, the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework for energy-poor groups, and limited financial or advisory mechanisms to support prosumer development. While prosumers were identified as a promising avenue for reducing energy burdens and empowering citizens, legislative and financial barriers continue to limit wider adoption. Speakers also stressed the urgent need for labour-market adaptation, retraining opportunities in coal-dependent regions, and clearer allocation of responsibilities for implementing transition measures. The event concluded with broad consensus that the green transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina is progressing but remains in an early, fragile stage. Ensuring a just transition will require stronger political will, clearer communication, more coherent policies, and targeted support that translates high-level recommendations into actionable steps at the local level.
