SARAJEVO – The realisation of the long-awaited Project, part of the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, “Demining of the Right Bank of the Sava River” in Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially been made available to commence, marking an important step towards safer navigation, and enhanced environmental protection and trade.
By signing a Subsidiary Agreement between the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, an €8 million European Union grant was put into operational use through an arrangement with the World Bank.
The project forms a core element of the Sava and Drina Rivers Corridors Integrated Development Programme, which aims to strengthen transboundary water cooperation across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia; improve navigability and flood protection; and support regional development through integrated river management.
With a total financing package of €38.9 million, combining EU, World Bank, and WBIF support, the programme covers four components. Under Component 4 (Regional Activities), EU funding is dedicated to the clearance of explosive remnants of war along the Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Sava River, stretching 946 km across Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, plays a vital socio-economic and ecological role in the region. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the project will clear 79 high-risk sites across nine municipalities – Kozarska Dubica, Gradiška, Srbac, Derventa, Brod, Odžak, Šamac, Domaljevac-Šamac and Orašje – covering 5.3 million square meters of riverbank.
Demining will remove explosive remnants of war in a highly selective and controlled manner along navigable sections of the river, ensuring compliance with safety and navigability requirements.
The project will be led by the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by the Mine Action Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHMAC), with the World Bank providing financial and advisory support.
Demining will be carried out by accredited organisations selected through international tender procedures, in line with the World Bank procurement framework.
A comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Study, financed by GIZ, is under review, and two public consultations in river municipalities will ensure community engagement and transparency.
Until the end of 2025, a public call for bids has been planned, while during 2026 and 2027 it is expected that a contractor is selected, mobilised, and demining operations launched which are expected to last 18 months, depending on field conditions and organisational capacity.
Clearing the Sava riverbank of mines is more than a technical operation – it is a symbolic and practical step toward reconnecting communities, unlocking navigation potential, and safeguarding the environment. With EU support and regional cooperation, the project promised to make the Sava River a driver of sustainable growth, safety, and integration.
