Bosnia and Herzegovina does not host a pilot in the RuralMED Mobility project, but its active participation through the Development Agency of Una-Sana Canton (RAUSK) shows how IPA (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) countries can meaningfully contribute to European cooperation initiatives focused on rural mobility and sustainable development.
A regional engine for development
Founded in 2012, RAUSK is a public institution dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in the Una-Sana Canton, in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Acting as a regional development agency, it supports public institutions, SMEs, and civil society by offering strategic, advisory, and implementation services.
RAUSK is involved in a wide range of initiatives, including project management, support for innovation, investment facilitation, and cross-border development. Over the years, it has established itself as a reliable partner in EU-funded programmes, with a clear commitment to transparency, innovation, and inclusive regional growth.
Contributing to RuralMED Mobility
Within the RuralMED project, RAUSK plays a key role as a territorial partner, despite not hosting a pilot. Its contribution focuses on supporting knowledge exchange and ensuring that the mobility challenges of rural and remote areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina are represented in project discussions.
The agency is actively involved in stakeholder engagement, local needs assessments, and knowledge transfer. By connecting local realities with European practices, RAUSK helps to shape mobility strategies that are adaptable and inclusive.
What is an IPA country?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries participating in the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) — the EU’s financial and technical support tool for candidate and potential candidate countries.
This framework helps IPA countries align with EU values, standards, and practices while building their institutional capacity through participation in programmes like Interreg Euro-MED.
Although these countries are not yet EU members, they are encouraged to take part in transnational cooperation to gain experience and prepare for full integration into EU structures.
Learning through collaboration
Through its involvement in RuralMED, RAUSK is strengthening its capacity to plan and implement sustainable rural mobility actions. The project is enhancing the agency’s ability to involve stakeholders, manage cross-sector planning, and adapt proven European solutions to the local context.
This experience is particularly valuable for an IPA country like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where building institutional expertise is essential for the ongoing process of European integration.
Looking ahead: replicability and impact
RAUSK is committed to ensuring that lessons learned through RuralMED lead to concrete results beyond the project’s duration. The agency is working on a replicability plan aimed at scaling up successful approaches to other rural areas in the Una-Sana Canton and incorporating these insights into local and cantonal development strategies.
Its participation also sends a strong signal: even without pilot investments, IPA countries can be key contributors to transnational cooperation. The agency’s work in RuralMED supports not only local development, but also Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with EU standards and values.
A shared vision for rural resilience
RAUSK’s participation in RuralMED Mobility highlights the potential of Western Balkan regions to play an active role in Europe’s green and digital transition. Through strategic partnerships, local engagement, and a strong development vision, RAUSK is helping to build a more connected and sustainable future for rural areas across the Mediterranean.
