Reform Agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where to next?

On September 30th 2025, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)finally adopted the long-discussed Reform Agenda, a long-overdue step that gives the country a genuine chance to move from declarations to delivery. After a long time of political stagnation and public fatigue, this is not just another policy paper; it is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s opportunity to turn the European path into something tangible, visible, and beneficial for its citizens.

By adopting the Reform Agenda, BiH has formally unlocked the door to the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (2023) , the most ambitious, performance-based financial package ever offered to the region. Opening the door is not the same as walking through it. Adopting the Agenda is not the finish line, it’s merely the starting point. The real work begins now.

A Needed Reset with Real Opportunities

The EU’s Growth Plan, published in November 2023, arrived as a needed reset . This long-awaited new breeze of EU fresh air came after a long decade of political back and forth with no real breakthroughs in the Western Balkans. Many would agree that the initiative was instigated and galvanized by the war in Ukraine and renewed Russian interest in the region of Western Balkans. The six Western Balkan countries remain keen on the EU agenda and its benefits, yet they are still pulled back by nationalism and unresolved historical grievances, challenges compounded by years of EU ambiguity. Meanwhile, global players, China, India, and, for some in the Balkans, the old ally Russia, gained ground amid the EU’s lack of a clear policy for the region. Hence an update was very much needed and finally came along offering more proactive EU framework.

Growth plan Possibilities for Bosnia and Herzegovina: Why This Moment Matters

This is a credibility test BiH, but also a chance to redefine the country’s European story.  Bosnia and Herzegovina now has an opportunity to show that it can deliver, and when it does, the benefits will not be hidden in bureaucratic reports but visible in daily life.

If BiH demonstrates seriousness, it shall open the gateway to tranches that can turn into tangible investments. Focus should be on what people can see and feel in their everyday life for example:

• Public institutions (hospitals, schools, administrative buildings) via energy-efficiency programs and clear standards -  with fairer, lower bills.

• Financial services inclusion (SEPA); joining European payment standards like SEPA at the right time makes life more affordable for citizens and businesses.

• Transport and trade: new stretches on key corridors (5c) and modernized border flows - meaning lower export/import costs and faster border and customs procedures.

• Green energy: renewable-energy auctions and faster permits - meaning more domestic energy, investment, and more efficient supply security & affordability.

• Digital infrastructure and services: faster internet, 5G where justified, and e-government services that actually work (whether you’re a parent, an entrepreneur, or a patient -  the service must exist and be accessible).

These are not symbolic improvements. They are measurable, trackable changes that bring Europe closer to home. For the first time, the European path will have its own street signs, built in meters, megawatts, and minutes saved.

If BiH does not deliver, the funds will go to those who do. The regional dynamic is unforgiving: the Western Balkans is a “league” where performance is measured by how quickly and effectively obligations are met. On top of that, the domestic political context, fragmentation, deadlines, electoral calculations, makes the task harder. Which is precisely why it matters more.

Overcoming the Old Bottlenecks

Unfortunately, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s complex governance system, born from the Dayton Peace Agreement, remains a challenge. Every governmental reform requires coordination across multiple levels of government, and that coordination has often been the weakest link.

The Reform Agenda appears to target some of these long-standing weak points: judiciary and rule of law, anti-corruption mechanisms, governance of public enterprises, and public procurement. These are precisely the reforms that have repeatedly failed in the past. This time, however, failure carries an immediate cost. If BiH does not deliver, funds will simply be redirected to other Western Balkan countries that do.

But the Reform Agenda offers a new structure and a clear incentive: delivery also means reward. The country now has a unified framework that finally brings together state, entity, and cantonal priorities in one direction. When institutions move in the same line, progress is possible  and measurable.

The obstacles are real, but so is the opportunity. Other countries in the region are already moving ahead. BiH cannot afford to stand still while the scoreboard of the Western Balkans shows who delivers and who hesitates. This time, the region’s competition can be healthy, a race to reform, not a race to blame.

A Framework with Promise

The Reform Agenda is currently the only document in Bosnia and Herzegovina that unites reform priorities under one framework. It brings together economic competitiveness, energy transition, social inclusion, digital transformation, and the rule of law under a single strategic umbrella linked directly to EU support.

Its implementation could be the turning point for the EU accession narrative in the country but also its relationship with the citizens. People will finally be able to see what EU integration means, not as a distant Brussels narrative, but as tangible investments  results of finished highways, efficient and updated Health care, cleaner air, and functioning public e-services.

At a time when public support in the country for EU membership has been declining, this is the moment to reverse the trend. One of the reasons is simple.  People no longer associate “Europe” with visible progress. The Reform Agenda offers a chance to change that perception, to show that EU membership is not an abstract geopolitical project, but a pathway to better living standards and a more accountable government.

The way forward

To move forward, BiH needs discipline, coordination, and transparency. Not new promises, but operational clarity. Every reform must have a responsible institution, a deadline, and measurable results. Regular progress updates, shared publicly, would turn reform monitoring into a civic exercise, not a closed-door discussion.

The European Union, on the other hand, must stay visibly engaged. High-level visits, clear communication, and consistent political presence matter. These are not mere protocol. They are political signals that help sustain momentum. After years of ambiguity, the EU’s active role can make a tangible difference in keeping reforms on track.

Conclusion: From Signatures to Results

The door is open, and Bosnia and Herzegovina now holds the key.  No one will carry BiH across the threshold. This mechanism rewards only those who deliver results and the cost of failure will be just as visible: unfinished roads, under-developed hospitals, non-digital services, and another lost year for the young generation of BiH youth.

The success of the Reform Agenda will depend not on declarations, but on the ability to turn signatures into change: visible, measurable, and lasting change that improves people’s lives.

Yet, there is reason for cautious optimism. The Reform Agenda has the potential to be more than just another government document. It can become the genuine success story of BiH’s European path,  a roadmap where citizens can finally see, touch, and measure the benefits of reform.

The Reform Agenda offers exactly that: a framework where delivery brings dignity, and where progress is no longer hidden behind paperwork. It is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s chance to show that it can deliver  and that it can deliver for its people.

In addition the role of the EU’s actual and factual visibility is a factor not to be downsized and or forgotten. The recent visits of Commissioner Marta Kos as well as President Ursula von der Leyen have evidently geared up some speed in the process of agreeing on the Reform agenda. The EU should not underestimate the diplomatic power of visibility of the EU in the Balkans and the continuing need for this visibility after long decades of negligence. Only the combination of the two crucial engagement factors can provide for tangible results for EU accession for BiH but also for the EU’s external policy success factor in a current geopolitical volatile environment.

The EU President stands with Bosnian leaders during an official visit to Bosnia, symbolizing collaboration and diplomatic relations.