SRPSKA TO GAIN ANOTHER CITY: FOČA SET TO RECEIVE CITY STATUS

The Government of Republika Srpska has adopted, during its sixth session in Banja Luka, a Draft Law on the City of Foča under urgent procedure, regulating the territory, competencies, governing bodies, and financing of the future city.

As explained, the key reason for adopting this law lies in the fact that all legally prescribed conditions have been met for changing the status of the Municipality of Foča into the City of Foča.

Procedure for Granting City Status

According to the Government, the Municipality of Foča initiated the process on January 29, 2026, based on a decision by the Municipal Assembly. The request was submitted to the Government along with detailed documentation justifying the transition.

The submitted report included a comprehensive elaboration covering general characteristics, historical overview, public institutions and enterprises founded by the municipality and Republika Srpska, as well as sectors such as education, healthcare, social protection, economy, tourism, agriculture, culture, religious communities, sports, civil society, infrastructure, environmental protection, spatial planning, public safety, and the municipality’s development strategy for the period 2017–2026.

A Unified and Developed Area

Officials emphasized that Foča represents a unified geographical, social, economic, historical, and territorial entity with a satisfactory level of development. The municipal leadership stated that all legal requirements for obtaining city status have been fulfilled.

In addition, Foča meets specific criteria outlined in the Law on Local Self-Government, which allows municipalities to gain city status regardless of population size if certain conditions are met. These include having an above-average employment rate or maintaining at least five study programs for over ten years, with more than 2,000 students enrolled, alongside significant cultural and historical heritage.

Strong Educational and Natural Resources

Foča is home to two higher education institutions: the Faculty of Medicine, part of the University of East Sarajevo, and the Orthodox Theological Faculty “St. Basil of Ostrog.”

The area also boasts numerous natural and cultural sites that serve as valuable resources for tourism and economic development. Authorities highlighted the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage, reflected in its many monuments and long-standing traditions.

Home to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Largest National Park

Particular emphasis was placed on Sutjeska National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering over 16,000 hectares. The park is a member of the European Federation of Parks and includes the Perućica primeval forest, one of the best-preserved forests of its kind in Europe.

At the same session, the Government also adopted amendments to the Law on Territorial Organization of Republika Srpska, aligning it with the proposed Law on the City of Foča.

Local Leadership Welcomes the Decision

Milan Vukadinović, Mayor of Foča, expressed his satisfaction with the development, describing it as a long-awaited and significant milestone.

“This has been in preparation for quite some time, and now we are finally in the implementation phase. I am very pleased, as I believe that historically Foča has always deserved the status of a city, being the center of this region in every sense,” Vukadinović told local media.

If adopted, the new law will officially grant Foča city status, marking an important step in its administrative and economic development.