LFM System SWOT Analysis in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the Landscape Fire Management (LFM) system, a comprehensive SWOT analysis was conducted during the 2nd LFM workshop in Sarajevo. This analysis reflects the insights of stakeholders at various institutional levels and provides a strategic overview of the current LFM system’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats.
This structured assessment will help guide policymakers, practitioners, and institutions toward building a more resilient, responsive, and modern fire management system across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Strengths
- Existing legal framework for fire protection (laws and bylaws)
- Operational fire protection plans and procedures in place
- Awareness-raising campaigns on fire risks
- Rich water resources
- Adequate number of fire protection experts
- Institutional capacity in fire-related fields
- Intersectoral communication mechanisms
Weaknesses
- Absence of a Federal Law on Forests and a Forestry Program
- Migration trends (rural depopulation and emigration)
- Fragmented and complex governance structure
- Lack of human and material resources
- Gaps in coordination between responsible institutions
- Inadequate enforcement of existing legislation
- Weak penal policies for fire-related offenses
- Ongoing property disputes and poor cadastral alignment
- Insufficient public awareness and low engagement of decision-makers
- Underdeveloped tourism and rural infrastructure
Opportunities
- Expansion of awareness programs targeting fire prevention
- Incorporation of LFM principles into education systems
- Digital technologies for early detection and prevention
- Access to EU pre-accession and international funds
- Creation of offender databases for accountability
- Modernization of fire monitoring and response systems
- Adoption of prescribed burning as a preventive tool
- Legislative progress, including adoption of a Federal Law on Forests
- Investments in rural development and institutional capacities
Threats
- Increasing fire frequency and intensity due to climate change
- Continued population migration and loss of rural workforce
- Fragmented policy implementation and coordination gaps
- Proliferation of illegal dumpsites
- Inability to consistently identify and prosecute offenders
- Extensive areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO)
- Rising air pollution and extreme weather conditions