Mainstreaming equity considerations into environmental policymaking: the case of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Environmental Strategy and Action Plan

Gender inequality and social inequity are both drivers and outcomes of environmental change, as is poverty. At the same time, solutions to environmental change are not socially neutral and may affect certain groups disproportionately. There is thus a need to better integrate gender equality, social equity, and poverty (GESEP) analysis into environmental policymaking. 

This report describes the approach used to mainstream GESEP into the project Development of the Environmental Strategy and Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereafter “the project”) and shares some lessons learned from it. The report aims to provide policymakers, international donors, project implementers and civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and elsewhere with a comprehensive understanding of the project’s efforts to integrate GESEP into environmental policymaking. It outlines the project’s strategies, challenges, and successes in mainstreaming GESEP, enabling these stakeholders to make informed decisions about funding and implementing similar projects in the future.