Call for Judges and Prosecutors: European Environmental Law Knowledge Transfer (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the initial stage of accession negotiations with the EU, which will include alignment with the EU environmental standards, necessitating a focus on environmental criminal law—a facet overlooked thus far. Environmental inspectorates and law enforcement agencies, including the police and border police, lack the requisite expertise and manpower to address the escalating environmental pressures. For instance, the proliferation of illegal landfills across the country, coupled with the indiscriminate disposal of hazardous waste alongside communal waste, poses a significant risk to public health.

By developing expert learning content and training programs, the project strengthens the capacity of government institutions and judicial bodies to address environmental challenges, promoting more effective enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Moreover, the case law exchange will provide a basis for an informal expert platform for judicial/prosecutorial capacity-building aiming to improve the administration and resolution of environmental cases.

The aim of this initiative is to strengthen knowledge of judges and prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the European environmental law, and particularly protection of the environmental through criminal matters.

Program Description

• The program will follow this proposed itinerary:
  • Day 1: Travel day (Sarajevo – Brussels)
    • Welcome dinner at the hotel in Brussels.
  • Day 2: Knowledge transfer and case law exchange (European Forum of Judges for the Environment, European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment)
    • Common core principles of modern environmental law
    • Presenting background information on EU environmental law, with case studies included.
    • Environmental Crime Directive, with its updated register of environmental offences EU 2024/1203
    • Collaboration and co-operation in the fight against environmental crime
    • Judicial experience in other states in the environmental context; and presentations with practical guidance for managing environmental cases.
  • Day 3: Travel day (Brussels – Sarajevo)

Eligibility Criteria

• This public call is open to judges and prosecutors in criminal law departments in Bosnia and Herzegovina who fulfill the required criteria and have demonstrated interest to participate in the knowledge transfer and case law exchange envisaged under this Public Call.
• As part of the mandatory (elimination) criteria, the Applicants must fulfill the following:
  • Education: Law degree.
  • Experience: At least 5 years of experience in dealing with cases involving environmental protection or crimes against the environment. Note: Good command of English language will be considered an asset.
• Applications that do not meet the mandatory criteria will not be further considered.

For more information, visit UNDP.