Bologna (Italia) is promoting the development of Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), since 1994., giving their contribution throught the acivities of decentralized cooperation. Decentralization cooperation activities are in corelation with the efforts that the Municipality of Bologna is making in the scope of the community policies for the development of the countries that are willing to join the European Union.
Cooperation with Tuzla, within the frame of brotherhood relations established between the two cities (Memorandum of Cooperation between Municipality of Tuzla and Bologna was signed on July 20, 1996), is at the same time, investment into the future, considering the creation of the Adriatic Euro region priority action on the way of pre-accession to Europe and strategic direction of Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna as its capital and its main stakeholders, having in mind geographical position and interests of our own territory. Activities and goals of the CulTuRe project are given main priority within the strategy of decentralized cooperation intended for development countries and their sustainable development (GUCE/GUUE L 99/1 from 03/04/2004), in the sectors of valorization of available human resources, local development of socio-economic sector, participation of actors of decentralized cooperation in the international environment, institution building, support and methodological continuation of interventions.
Cooperation between Bologna and Tuzla can be taken as a model of cooperation between one town of European Union and a town of Western Balkans. Indeed, after the first phase of interventions concentrated on necessary reconstruction activities, activities designed to foster the democratization process and institutional capacity building followed.
In 1995, the first project was initiated and financed by the European Commission aimed at establishment of the Embassy of Local Democracy in Tuzla – ADL. The aim of this project was to give support and contribute to the processes of peace and stabilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through promotion of the activities of the city-to-city-cooperation.
In November 2007, the new project was initiated, also co-financed by the European Commission, as the continuation of the activities of the Embassy of Local Democracy that included further activities on peace fostering, building of local democracy and confidence building measures. Since its establishment, the Embassy of Local Democracy was financed by the Bologna municipality, within the framework of Protocol of Brotherhood , as well as by the Council of Europe, through the programs „Confidence Building Measures“, „Urgent Measures“ and LODE ( Local Democracy).
Also, following the signing of the Cooperation Protocol the relations between Universities of Bologna, Tuzla and Banjaluka (Republic of Srpska) have been developed. In this relation, faculties of political science, economy, medicine and industrial chemistry promoted programs of students` and teachers` exchange.
In June 1998, the cooperation between Embassy of Local Democracy from Tuzla and postgraduate program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Interventions/ assistance of the Faculty of Political Science of Bologna University was established.
The Embassy of Local Democracy together with Bologna Municipality gave support to the project of additional education implemented by the Sinnea International (Advisory and Educational Association from Bologna) and TALDi (Tuzla Association of Local Development Initiatives), co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Trade. The project was named „Promotion of Small and Medium sized enterprises from Tuzla-Podrinje Canton“.
In February 1998, the seminar on the topic „ Economic Cooperation: future of the Small and Medium–sized Enterprises“, was organized with the participation of then Mayor of the Tuzla Municipality, Mr. Selim Beslagic and President of TALDi, Professor Mirza Kusljugic, SciPhD.
Coordination of all activities carried out within the cooperation with Tuzla was organized through the field delegate of the Bologna Municipality based in Tuzla and the Department of the Foreign Affairs (now Department for the International Relation, Cooperation and Projects) of Bologna Municipality.
During the period between 1999 and 2004 the cooperation between the two municipalities concentrated on generous help and assistance in providing for information and medical treatment and hospitalization in Italy of Tuzla children suffering from leukemia.
The power that was main characteristic of the relations and cooperation between Tuzla and Bologna until 1999, has been reactivated in June 2004 when the Mayor of Tuzla, Jasmin Imamovic, in his congratulation words to the Mayor of Bologna, Cofferati on the occasion of election victory, emphasized the wish and interest of Bosnian municipality for reestablishment of cooperation.
On September 17, 2004, the President of Municipal Council, Mr. Gianni Sofri, visited Tuzla as the representative of the Bologna Municipality at the ceremony celebrating 60 anniversary of Tuzla liberation.
The CulTuRe project presents, therefore, logical continuation of the process based on the achievements and results of the implemented projects, interventions and assistance of the Bologna Municipality and excellent bilateral cooperation between the two European cities.
