CLIENT: Organisation for Cooperation and security in Europe & United nations

PROJECT: INTERNATIONAL best practice & governance programme

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What were MAKE asked to do?

MAKE founder Alistair Turnham and fellow local government expert Dame Marianne Hood were invited by the OECD to contribute to the UN's broader programme for stability in the post-conflict Balkans. 

We were specifically asked to transfer our knowledge of developing best practice between municipal governments in the UK to aid the strengthening of transparency and local democracy in Bosnia And Herzegovina. 

How did MAKE do it?

  • We developed a week long programme of materials for delegates from across Bosnia and Herzegovina that brought them the best of what we had learned in the UK Beacon scheme for local government excellence. This was the programme we were retained as special advisers for by the Department of Communities and Local Government.  

  • 15 local authority chief executives from across Bosnia Herzegovina were invited to Sarajevo where Dame Marianne and Alistair delivered a series of simultaneous translated workshops and seminars. 

  • Content focused on how to build a best practice scheme, encouraging participation and assessing excellence in submissions from municipal governments. 

  • The programme ended with a dinner and a keynote speech from the US ambassador inspiring participants to continue developing the scheme. 

What happened next?

Bosnia is now the only country outside the UK to have built a best practice scheme that fosters excellence in municipal government.

What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?

With our experience of developing Purple Flag and being advisers to the Beacon programme we were able to demonstrate clear evidence to municipalities why sharing their best practice can help drive up performance across an entire country.