Turning Local Priorities Into Fundable Projects
Representatives of the pilot municipalities of Breza in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Obiliq in Kosovo strengthened their capacity to turn local transition priorities into concrete project proposals during a Climate Finance & LogFrame Training, held in Sarajevo from 7 to 9 July 2026.
For coal-dependent municipalities such as Breza and Obiliq, access to appropriate financing is essential for translating local climate, energy and sustainable development priorities into concrete action. The training therefore focused on the practical skills needed to develop stronger project proposals, structure project ideas and identify relevant funding opportunities. By strengthening these capacities, the activity aimed to help local authorities move from strategic priorities and identified challenges towards more concrete and finance-ready interventions.
From Local Challenges to Fundable Projects
The two-day training brought together six municipal representatives, three from each pilot municipality. Through practical exercises and expert guidance, participants worked on key elements of successful project development, including defining clear objectives, developing measurable indicators, identifying risks and ensuring that proposed interventions are aligned with the requirements of potential funding programmes.
The training encouraged participants to apply the methods directly to their own local contexts rather than focusing only on theoretical concepts. This practical approach helped them explore how existing challenges and transition priorities could be developed into more structured project concepts with a stronger basis for future financing.
The joint format also created an opportunity for participants from the two coal-dependent municipalities to exchange experiences and discuss common challenges. The peer-to-peer exchange provided an additional perspective on local priorities and encouraged participants to consider different approaches to addressing similar challenges.
“The training was highly productive and extremely useful in helping us understand the core principles of project management. The concepts were presented clearly, and the overall experience was a true pleasure and honour for us.”
Edona Idrizaj, Municipality of Obiliq
A Practical Tool for Continued Learning
To support continued learning beyond the training, participants were introduced to the Guide to Available EU and International Funding Sources, developed within EUKI project Green Horizons – Enabling Just Transition.
The Guide provides practical information on relevant funding programmes, institutions and contact points, serving as a reference for local authorities when exploring potential financing opportunities. It is intended to support municipalities in navigating the funding landscape and identifying programmes that may be relevant to their future project ideas.
Participants welcomed the Guide and highlighted its practical value. The Municipality of Breza described it as concise, clear and well structured, providing useful information and practical guidance for exploring available funding opportunities.
“We believe that the knowledge and experience gained will be valuable in our future work and that activities of this kind contribute to strengthening our joint capacities and future cooperation.”
Amela Omerhodžić, Municipality of Breza
Connecting Local Priorities with International Support
The training programme also included a study visit to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 9 July. During the visit, municipal representatives presented some of their local priorities and discussed the challenges they face in translating strategic objectives into concrete projects that can attract external financing.
The exchange provided an opportunity to discuss the role of international cooperation and technical support in advancing the transition of coal-dependent communities. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening local institutional capacities so that municipalities are better equipped to identify opportunities, develop quality proposals and engage with potential funding partners.
Strengthening Capacity for the Next Steps
The immediate impact of the training was reflected in the participants’ self-assessment results. Five out of six participants (83.3%) reported a significant improvement in their knowledge following the training, exceeding the project target of 75%. The result indicates a strong immediate contribution of the activity to strengthening municipal knowledge and confidence in climate finance and project development.
The training and the funding Guide provide an important foundation for the next stage of cooperation with the pilot municipalities. Building on the knowledge gained, the municipalities will move towards developing concrete project ideas linked to their local transition priorities. They will also receive individual expert support to further strengthen their project logic, align proposals with donor requirements and explore suitable funding opportunities.
Through this continued support, EUKI project Green Horizons – Enabling Just Transition aims to help translate strengthened municipal capacities into practical project concepts that can contribute to a fair and sustainable transition in coal-dependent communities.