Roundtable on “Socio-environmental impacts of plastic pollution on rivers and communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”

On October 23, 2025, the Regional Education and Information Centre (REIC) organized a roundtable on “Socio-environmental impacts of plastic pollution on rivers and communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The event brought together 25 participants from ministries, environmental funds, chambers of economy, NGOs, academia, and international organizations to discuss how to tackle one of the country’s most pressing environmental challenge – plastic waste in rivers.

The discussion focused on the challenges posed by plastic pollution in rivers and the participants highlighted that most river pollution is tied to mismanaged waste, illegal dumping, and limited waste collection service, particularly in rural areas. Participants shared local experiences, such as clean-up efforts in Una National Park (Bihać) and the installation of waste barriers near in Bočac and Višegrad hydropower plants, which capture thousands of cubic meters of floating litter each year. Stakeholders emphasized the need for preventive actions, education, and community engagement.

Key outcomes included:

• Identifying practical solutions like promoting environmental education, improving recycling systems, and establishing stronger inter-institutional cooperation.

• Highlighting the importance of long-term preventive measures rather than focusing only on clean-ups.

• Exploring opportunities for regional and international collaboration to reduce plastic pollution in shared rivers such as the Drina.

• Using existing funding mechanisms, including national environmental funds and EU programs (IPA III, Interreg, Horizon Europe), to support waste prevention and recycling initiatives.

Stakeholders agreed that ongoing dialogue, regular co-creation roundtables, and coordinated follow-up actions are crucial for effective cooperation and the sustainable management of rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.