Many people worldwide remember the tragic 1990s Balkan wars. The conflicts and their aftermath meant a large commitment for Sweden in terms of humanitarian and, later, long-term development cooperation. A key concern in this was the reconstruction of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s economy, which was devastated after the wars. The post-war GDP level was less than 20% of what it had been before 1991.
The total Swedish assistance to Bosnia & Herzegovina between 1995- 2016 was about USD 650 million. Economic and market development is one of a few focus areas in Sweden’s development cooperation with the country.
At this EBA seminar we launch a long-term evaluation of Sweden’s development cooperation in economic development with Bosnia & Herzegovina (1995-2018). Questions to be discussed include: What has Swedish development cooperation with Bosnia & Herzegovina achieved? What conclusions in the evaluation can be useful for future Swedish aid to Bosnia and for the upcoming regional strategy? What insights about development cooperation in connection to the Bosnian economy can be useful for other contexts or countries?
PROGRAMME
14.00 Welcome and introduction
Nation Building in a Fractured Country: An Evaluation of Swedish Cooperation in Economic Development with Bosnia and Herzegovina 1995-2018. Presentation of the EBA report by Claes Lindahl.
Comments from Sida and researchers
Claes Lindahl, main author of the evaluation / EBA report
Sara Johansson de Silva, The Expert Group for Aid Studies
Torgny Svenungsson, Head of Unit, Western Balkans and Latin America, Sida
Henrik Riby, Senior Advisor for Market Development, Sida
Moderator: Kim Forss, EBA
15.40 Seminar ends