On 7 February 2023, six works contracts supported by EU technical assistance grants, concerning the construction of flood protection measures for ten Republika Srpska municipalities were signed at a ceremony in the premises of the public company Vode Srpska in Banja Luka. The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Republika Srpska, European Investment Bank (EIB), Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and several other stakeholders as well as media.

The European Union, through WBIF, has provided nearly €13.5 million in grants to activities related to flood risk management in BiH. The “Flood Risk Management Project in Republika Srpska” with a total investment value of €104 million, is being implemented with the mentioned EU grants, a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) of €74 million and a Beneficiary contribution of €4 million. Additional €16 million grants were provided through the IBRD/IDA, GEF/UNDP and IPA 2014 funds.

Implementing these flood protection investments will improve the performance and reliability of the flood protection system in Republika Srpska and reduce the overall risk of floods and associated damages. This project will positively impact the economy, society, environment, and public health, while directly improving the quality of life in 30 municipalities with almost 700,000 inhabitants in Republika Srpska. It will further contribute to the transposition and implementation of the EU Acquis Communautaire, particularly the Flood Directive, which requires a coherent cross-border approach.