Business Friendly Municipalities

More than 100 local governments have accessed the BFC SEE certification program from the region - 63 of them have received a certificate of municipality/city tailored to the economy.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Banja Luka, Bihać, Bijeljina, Bosanska Krupa, Brod, Goražde, Gradačac, Gradiška, Doboj, Jablanica, Kakanj, Laktaši, Kotor Varoš, Maglaj, Mrkonjić Grad, Novi Grad Sarajevo, Novi Grad, Posušje, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslić, Trebinje, Zavidovići, Zenica, Zvornik, Žepče, Živinice
• Croatia: Bjelovar, Cres, Crikvenica, Grubisno Polje, Ivanec, Kostrena, Labin, Jastrebarsko, Pleternica
• North Macedonia: Bogdanci, Gazi Baba, Ilinden, Skopje, Štip, Strumica and Veles
• Montenegro: Bijelo Polje, Danilovgrad, Žabljak, Podgorica and Tivat
• Serbia: Bor, Leskovac, Novi Sad, Pančevo, Pećinci, Pirot, Požarevac, Ruma, Sombor, Stara Pazova, Ćuprija, Čacak, Šabac

The goals of the program are achieved through:

• Providing a stable and measurable business environment
• Application of best practice examples
• Improving the cooperation of all actors involved in the process of economic development
• Raising awareness of local officials about the need for regular consultation with the private sector
• Building awareness of entrepreneurs about the opportunities and potentials provided by municipalities/cities
• Defining a unique and standardized approach, both to new and existing companies/investors
• Introducing innovation in the way local potentials are promoted
• Finding concrete solutions to improve the business environment

The quality of the local business environment is assessed based on more than 60 certification criteria grouped into 10 categories:

1. Local development strategy
2. Organizational unit in charge of local economic development (KLER)
3. Cooperation between the public and private sectors
4. System of services for obtaining a building permit
5. Existence of an analytical basis for supporting the local business community and attracting investments
6. Activities to promote investment and the quality of the business environment in the city/municipality
7. Predictability of business expenses and responsible financial management
8. Monitoring the dynamics of the local labour market and an active attitude towards the identified situation and needs
9. City / Municipality provides development support
10. Adequate infrastructure and reliable utilities

E-certification

BFC SEE software is a unique IT tool for monitoring the business environment in the region of Southeast Europe developed with the support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Open Regional Fund for Modernization of Municipal Services (GIZ MMS ORF), which will contribute to greater efficiency, visibility and impact of regional BFC SEE network and its structures.

In addition to the additional promotion of regions and certified cities and municipalities, the software will enable automation of the entire certification process, online application and submission of documentation in electronic format, exchange of examples of good practice, and easier access and availability of data between local governments and the economy. It is an additional source of information for national and local institutions for creating decisions and incentive measures at the local and national level and a standardized tool for investors to access municipal data, contacts, promotional materials, investment opportunities, information on business conditions…

The application of BFC SEE software will contribute to greater efficiency and transparency of the certification process, a clearer understanding of the program, and reduce costs and resources for local governments that are in the process.

Municipality/city self-assessment

Municipalities and cities have the opportunity to test their business friendliness by filling out a Self-Assessment Questionnaire which they can access on the BFC SEE website (www.bfc-see.org) and get a result on the percentage of meeting the criteria with an accompanying graphic. The standard prescribed minimum for joining the BFC SEE program is 50% fulfilment of the established certification criteria.