Accepting a Role That Matters
When I was approached earlier this autumn with the request to take on the role of President of the Evaluation Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, my first thought was practical: I already had a long list of commitments in my academic and research work. Yet the more I reflected on it, the clearer it became that evaluation is too important for our country—and for the people who depend on sound public decisions—to decline the invitation.
Evaluation helps ensure that policies work, that public resources are used effectively, and that institutions remain accountable. In a context like ours, where structural challenges are many and reform is often slow, the discipline has an even greater value. That recognition made the decision easier: despite the workload, I agreed to take on the task.
Supported by Excellent Colleagues
I am fortunate that this responsibility does not fall on my shoulders alone. The newly elected leadership brings together two exceptional professionals whose expertise will be crucial for the Society’s work.
Prof. Jasmina Okičić, our new President of the Assembly, is a respected professor of economics from the University of Tuzla, with a strong background in quantitative economics and editorial experience.
Dr. Zlatan Hrnčić, now serving as Secretary, is a sociologist whose research on gender, violence, and social development has contributed to both academic understanding and practical policymaking.
With colleagues of this calibre, I am confident that we can continue strengthening the foundations of evaluation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A Dynamic Start: Hosting the Western Balkans Evaluation Conference
The beginning of our mandate was immediate and dynamic. Almost as soon as we assumed our roles, we were tasked with organizing the:
6th Biannual Conference of the Western Balkans Evaluation Network,
hosted by the Evaluation Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Strengthening Evaluation Frameworks: Development, Policy, and Practice”
Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 October 2025
Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across the region, the conference will be an opportunity to connect ideas, deepen regional collaboration, and highlight the relevance of evaluation for development and public policy.
Organizing such an event so early in our term was challenging, but it was also a welcome confirmation that our Society is seen as a credible and active partner in the region’s evaluation community.
Priorities for the Years Ahead
While our capacity is shaped by time constraints and the voluntary nature of our work, our vision for the Evaluation Society is clear. Four priorities stand out:
1. Strengthening Professional Standards
Evaluation gains legitimacy through clear methodologies, shared guidelines, and transparent processes. One of our goals is to help define and promote those standards.
2. Supporting Our Evaluators
Bosnia and Herzegovina has many researchers who are eager to contribute but lack structured pathways into evaluation. Creating those pathways—through training, mentorship, and community engagement—will be a central part of our mission.
3. Building Regional and International Cooperation
No evaluation community thrives in isolation. By nurturing partnerships across the Western Balkans and beyond, we can exchange knowledge, improve our practices, and strengthen our position in the wider evaluation landscape.
4. Promoting Evidence-Based Policymaking
At its core, evaluation is about improving decisions. Better evaluations lead to more effective policies—and, ultimately, stronger institutions. Advancing this principle is one of the main reasons I accepted this role.
A Personal Note
It is important to emphasize that the Evaluation Society does not enjoy institutional or financial support. Almost all our work is based on voluntary engagement. This is not a “money-making task,” nor was it offered with that expectation. It is, instead, a commitment rooted in a genuine desire to promote values we consider essential for our country: accountability, transparency, and the use of evidence in public decision-making.
Because of this, we cannot function like organizations with dedicated activity budgets. We work with the time we can free up, relying on our shared motivation to keep the Society active and meaningful. This makes every contribution invaluable—and every step forward a collective achievement.
As we look to the future, it is also necessary to acknowledge the work that brought us here. The Society was founded in 2012, and much of its development over the past decade is thanks to Dr. Rijad Kovač, who co-founded and led BHEVAL with dedication and vision. His efforts greatly advanced the visibility of monitoring and evaluation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We owe him gratitude, and we hope that by continuing his work, we can make his departure a lesser loss for the community.
Looking Ahead
Accepting this role was not a small decision, but it was the right one. Evaluation is essential to building institutions that work, and institutions that work are essential for the progress of any society.
Together—with Jasmina, Zlatan, our members, and partners across the region—we will do our best to strengthen evaluation, support new practitioners, and promote a culture of evidence that serves the public good.