This administrative divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina often create barriers to effective governance, decision-making, and service delivery. One potential solution to these challenges lies in the advancement of e-government reforms, which are essential not only for improving internal efficiency but also for Bosnia’s progress toward European Union (EU) membership.

E-government reforms, in this context, refer to the digital transformation of government services, aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. The implementation of such reforms is closely tied to Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to aligning with the EU acquis communautaire, particularly chapters related to public administration, digital transformation, and rule of law. Given that the EU prioritizes good governance and digital innovation, successful e-government reforms will be a critical component of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU enlargement process.

The Current State of E-Government in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Despite various efforts to introduce e-government services in BiH, progress has been slow due to multiple factors, including political fragmentation, lack of coordination among different administrative levels, limited resources, and inadequate digital infrastructure. Both entities within BiH have implemented digital services to varying degrees, but there is no unified, nation-wide e-government system.

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the e-government initiatives remain fragmented and are often concentrated within certain sectors, such as tax services or public procurement.

Republika Srpska has made some strides toward digital transformation, but the overall progress remains limited. In March 2020, the Government of Republika Srpska adopted the E-Government Development Strategy for the period 2019-2022. However, it is necessary to develop a long-term digital transformation strategy at all levels of administration that will offer a vision for digital governance to lead the process of modernization and the transition to digital service delivery.

Since 2023, the eGovernment portal has been available to all interested citizens of the Brčko District, where they can find a catalog of information about the services provided by the public administration of the Brčko District of BiH. Through this portal, citizens can access information about all individual public administration services in one place—how to obtain a service, who to contact, what documentation is required, and similar details.

This fragmented approach poses a significant obstacle to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration, as EU accession requires a country to demonstrate that it can efficiently implement public administration reforms and provide transparent, efficient services to its citizens in a unified manner.

E-Government Reforms and EU Acquis

The EU acquis is the body of common rights and obligations that bind all EU member states. It is divided into 35 chapters, covering different areas of governance, law, and economy. Several of these chapters are directly relevant to e-government reforms, particularly:

Chapter 10: Information Society and Media – This chapter deals with issues related to the digital economy, including the development of digital infrastructure and e-government services. Candidate countries are expected to align their policies with EU standards for electronic communication, cybersecurity, and data protection, among others.
Chapter 23: Judiciary and Fundamental Rights – E-government reforms are vital to improving transparency and efficiency in the judiciary. The EU places a high emphasis on countries having a judicial system that is transparent and accountable. E-government tools, such as electronic case management systems, can improve the functioning of the judiciary and reduce corruption, both of which are essential for meeting EU standards.
Chapter 24: Justice, Freedom, and Security – This chapter relates to law enforcement and border security, where e-government tools such as biometric databases and digital identity systems can play a crucial role. Modernization of public administration in this area also helps facilitate cooperation with EU agencies.
Chapter 5: Public Procurement – E-government can help ensure transparency in public procurement processes. Electronic public procurement platforms can reduce the potential for corruption and increase fairness in bidding, which is critical for aligning with EU standards.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina works toward fulfilling these chapters, e-government reforms can serve as a significant enabler for meeting EU requirements, particularly in the areas of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. For instance, implementing digital solutions in public administration can help BiH create a more efficient and citizen-friendly government, thereby building the capacity required to fully implement EU regulations in the future.

The Role of E-Government in the EU Enlargement Process

Digital transformation is one of the key areas where the EU expects candidate countries to demonstrate substantial progress. As the EU places greater emphasis on digital governance and innovation in public administration, BiH must keep pace with this shift by introducing reforms that leverage technology to improve governance.

In the context of EU enlargement, e-government reforms have several important benefits:

Streamlining Public Administration: One of the major criticisms from the EU regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress toward accession has been the inefficiency and fragmentation of its public administration. E-government can help streamline these systems by reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving inter-agency communication, and providing more consistent services to citizens.
Fighting Corruption: The EU has repeatedly highlighted corruption as a significant barrier to BiH’s EU membership aspirations. E-government solutions, such as e-procurement systems and e-filing services, reduce opportunities for corruption by making processes more transparent and traceable.
Improving Service Delivery: Citizens’ trust in their government can be enhanced by providing easy access to public services through digital platforms. In many EU member states, e-government portals have become essential tools for accessing healthcare, education, and other public services. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens stand to benefit greatly from similar reforms.
Enhancing Data Protection: One of the key challenges in implementing e-government is ensuring that digital systems comply with EU standards on data protection and privacy, as outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Adopting these standards is essential not only for providing secure and reliable services but also for demonstrating to the EU that BiH is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of its citizens.

Conclusion

E-government reforms are not merely a technical upgrade for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public administration; they are a crucial part of the country's EU integration journey. By aligning its digital transformation with EU acquis requirements, Bosnia and Herzegovina can enhance its governance, improve service delivery, and build a more transparent, efficient state—key milestones on the road to EU membership. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the digital transformation of its government is not just a goal in itself, but a means of ensuring a stronger, more resilient future within the European Union.