On March 21, 2025, Trebinje hosted the euPOLIS Capacity Building Training at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IPC), bringing together over 30 participants, including citizens, city representatives, and experts. This event highlighted the importance of integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) into urban planning while addressing challenges in citizen participation and collaboration.

Local Support and Media Coverage

The event garnered significant attention from local media outlets, including RTRS and Herceg TV, as well as strong support from the city administration. The mayor of Trebinje and his deputy were present, emphasizing the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development. Media coverage amplified the event’s message, encouraging broader community engagement.

Zasad Polje Case Study: A Catalyst for Discussion

The Zasad Polje case study served as a focal point for the workshop, inspiring participants to explore how similar approaches could be adapted to Trebinje’s urban planning. The case study demonstrated how nature-based solutions can regenerate urban spaces while fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Communication through institutions, trusted individuals, or authorities was highlighted as a crucial element during the capacity-building training held in Trebinje. The training emphasized the involvement of various stakeholders and engaging them in interesting activities. Establishing points of trust was deemed essential for effective communication.

The training also proposed involving artists and scientists to enrich community initiatives. The findings emphasized the need for trust-building measures, transparency, and collaborative efforts to strengthen communication channels within communities.

Key Insights from the Workshop

The interactive sessions revealed valuable insights into citizen participation in urban planning processes in Trebinje:

Challenges in Citizen Engagement

  • Limited Participation Mechanisms: While the city offers public inspection and early public inspection as formal avenues for citizen involvement, these mechanisms are underutilized due to low public interest.
  • Lack of Awareness: Many citizens are unaware of their rights to participate in decision-making processes or miss critical opportunities to provide input during key stages of urban planning.
  • Transparency Concerns: Participants noted that urban planning decisions are often influenced by political interests, which can undermine trust and transparency.
  • Restricted Intervention Opportunities: Existing mechanisms leave little room for citizens to propose interventions that align with their needs.

Efforts to Improve Participation

  • The city has recently started inviting landowners to public inspections, a step toward broadening stakeholder involvement.
  • Services like e-citizen platforms, questionnaires, and pleas for participation are available but underutilized. Apps designed to facilitate citizen engagement are rarely used, despite the existence of a Facebook page where communal issues are publicly discussed.
  • City representatives acknowledged the need for more continuous communication with citizens to ensure permanent participation.

Recommendations from Participants

  • Educating Citizens: Participants emphasized the need for greater investment in educating citizens about their rights and opportunities to engage in urban planning processes.
  • Engaging Investors: A recurring question was how to make investors adopt existing standards. One solution proposed was hiring local engineers who understand community needs and regulations.
  • Strengthening Communication: City representatives recognized their responsibility to maintain consistent dialogue with citizens to foster trust and encourage active participation.

Trebinje’s Role in euPOLIS

As a “follower city” in the euPOLIS project, Trebinje is tasked with adopting solutions developed by pilot cities like Belgrade and Piraeus. This training session was an essential step toward equipping stakeholders with knowledge and tools to address local challenges while implementing NBS.

Looking Ahead

The workshop underscored the importance of empowering citizens through education and transparent communication. By addressing barriers to participation and fostering collaboration between stakeholders—including citizens, city representatives, and investors—Trebinje is paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future.

Stay tuned for updates on how these insights will shape Trebinje’s transformation under the euPOLIS framework!