Public Procurement of Innovation for Local Governance and Open Data in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The PIPLS project tackled longstanding governance and service delivery challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly at the local government level. Public administration often faced inefficiencies, a lack of transparency, and limited civic engagement. Furthermore, procurement processes were generally rigid, lacking mechanisms to encourage innovation. The project sought to overcome these limitations by redesigning procurement frameworks and creating digital tools to facilitate public access to information and enable data-driven decision-making.
Challenges addressed
The PIPLS project tackled longstanding governance and service delivery challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly at the local government level. Public administration often faced inefficiencies, a lack of transparency, and limited civic engagement. Furthermore, procurement processes were generally rigid, lacking mechanisms to encourage innovation. The project sought to overcome these limitations by redesigning procurement frameworks and creating digital tools to facilitate public access to information and enable data-driven decision-making.
Main objectives
The main goal of the PIPLS project was to strengthen local governance through the integration of innovation into public procurement. The project aimed to enhance transparency, improve service delivery efficiency, and build public trust. A key objective was to foster a culture of open data and digital transformation by equipping local authorities with the tools to make data accessible, usable, and relevant to both citizens and the private sector.
External resources
Facts
Project type :
Public Procurement of Innovation in Local Governance and Digital Transformation
Partners:
The project was implemented with the technical and financial support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with 11 local governments across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dates 2021 – 2024
Funding :
The initiative was funded and supported by the UNDP, with additional cooperation from municipal governments.
Project description
The PIPLS project represents a significant milestone in the use of Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) for governance reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over a 23-month period, the initiative was implemented in 11 municipalities with the goal of embedding innovation into the delivery of public infrastructure and services. The project emphasized forward-looking procurement strategies as a means to drive modernization and transparency in public administration.
One of the most notable achievements of the project was the creation of the country’s first Open Data Portal, developed by the City of Prijedor. This platform was designed to provide citizens, civil society, and businesses with access to key municipal data, supporting informed public discourse, encouraging civic participation, and enabling new digital services and applications. The Open Data Portal stands as a foundational infrastructure for digital transformation in local governance, reflecting the values of openness, collaboration, and accountability.
By modernizing procurement practices and embracing digital tools, the PIPLS project also built local institutional capacity to adopt innovative solutions in other areas of service delivery. The engagement of local governments throughout the process ensured the sustainability of outcomes and provided a replicable model for similar interventions in the region.
Impact and results
The PIPLS project successfully introduced PPI methodologies to 11 local governments, significantly improving their capacity to implement innovation-driven public service reforms. The establishment of the Open Data Portal in Prijedor was a landmark achievement, providing a scalable tool to increase transparency and public oversight.
In addition to improved data access, the project led to greater civic engagement and increased trust in local institutions. Local governments gained practical experience in designing and executing procurement processes that prioritize innovation and responsiveness. The overall result was a more transparent, efficient, and participatory model of local governance, with the potential for broader regional adoption.
