THE FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE SDI FBiH COUNCIL HELD

THE FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE SDI FBiH COUNCIL HELD

On December 22, 2025 the forty-ninth session of the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held.

During the session, the Council discussed the following agenda items:

  1. Adoption of the agenda for the 49th session of the SDI FBiH Council;
  2. Approval of the minutes from the 48th session of the SDI FBiH Council;
  3. Information on the implementation of the Work Plan for the establishment, maintenance and development of SDI FBiH for 2025;
  4. Information on support activities for stakeholders related to data entry into SDI FBiH applications;
  5. Information on the preparation of a by-law – Implementing Rules for SDI FBiH network services (draft);
  6. Information on the preparation of general conditions for licensing spatial data in the Federation of BiH;
  7. Information on CEN/ISO standards and the Decision on the adoption of standards;
  8. Information on the initiative to include representatives of the SDI FBiH coordination body in the Technical Committee BAS/TC 1 (Information Technology) of the Institute for Standardization of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ISBiH);
  9. Information on the “European Data Union Strategy” – its relevance for SDI FBiH and its connection with INSPIRE and other EU regulations;
  10. Other.

Through discussion of the agenda items, the importance of the continuous development of SDI FBiH was emphasized, with particular focus on improving network services, applying international standards and strengthening coordination with institutions and SDI stakeholders, in order to ensure further alignment with European initiatives and regulations.

Capacity Building of SDI Stakeholders in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025

Capacity Building of SDI Stakeholders in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025

Following the expressed interest of SDI stakeholders, the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Property Legal Affairs continued its capacity-building activities in the field of Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH SDI) during November. The Federal Administration secured and implemented, with budgetary funds, the Basic and Advanced training programs. The trainings were delivered by Gauss d.o.o. Tuzla, a company with extensive experience in capacity building in the field of SDI and spatial data in general. The main objective of the trainings was to enhance competencies in spatial data management, including data preparation, visualization and sharing, as well as to provide fundamental knowledge on spatial data infrastructure.

The first phase of the Framework Agreement was implemented during Year 2025 and lasted until 11 December 2025. During this period, a total of 20 one-day training sessions were organized in the field of spatial data infrastructure.

The trainings covered Basic and Advanced training, SDI/INSPIRE training, Advanced Database Management, and Advanced Dissemination of Spatial Data. The sessions were held between 20 October and 11 December 2025.

A total of 35 institutions from the federal, cantonal and state levels participated in the trainings, including ministries, administrations, institutes, public companies and agencies. Particularly significant was the participation of institutions responsible for managing spatial data in the fields of geodesy, spatial planning, environmental protection, forestry, water management, transport, statistics, health, and cultural and historical heritage.

Study Visit to the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia within the DELEF Project

Study Visit to the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia within the DELEF Project

A delegation of the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs (Working Group for SDI within the DELEF project) visited the Republic of Slovenia from December 2-4, 2025 as part of the implementation of the DELEF project. The host of the study visit was the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, with participation from partner institutions as well as representatives from academia and the private sector. The programme included attendance at the SLO4D conference, working meetings at the Surveying and Mapping Authority headquarters in Ljubljana, visits to various geodetic companies, and a working session at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FERI) of the University of Maribor.

On the first day of the visit, the FGA delegation participated in the SLO4D conference held in Brdo pri Kranju. Within the conference programme were presented the concept and experiences of the SLO4D project, the use of satellite imagery (PlanetScope), and the application of 3D building models in different sectors. Particularly valuable was a brief discussion with the Director General of Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia, during which experiences were exchanged on reforms in cadastral and cartographic infrastructure and the role of digital transformation in modernization of land administration.

On the second day, at the Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia headquarters in Ljubljana, an introductory session was held focusing on horizontal integration and the common building blocks of the SLO4D system, as well as the national geoportal platform Geo Slovenia. The Authority’s team, led by spatial data experts, presented the system architecture, the establishment of common components, and data and service management models at the national level. The programme also included a presentation by Flycom dedicated to LiDAR surveying and 3D building modelling, with emphasis on data quality, applications in spatial planning and environmental protection, and integration with other official datasets.

Later that day, the FGA delegation held a working meeting with the company IGEA, focused on geoportal infrastructure and software architecture. Topics discussed included system design, security and authentication, monitoring and supervision, as well as the implementation of vector tiles and 3D visualization. Special attention was given to web services and data sharing (OGC/OGC API), INSPIRE workflows, ETL harmonization and publishing processes, and performance optimization. The exchange of experiences on these topics is of particular importance for the further development of the SDI Geoportal of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and for establishing modern spatial data services.

On the third day of the visit, the delegation visited the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FERI) at the University of Maribor. FERI experts presented advanced concepts for managing and serving large spatial datasets- point clouds (LAZ/E57), ortho photos, digital terrain and surface models (DTM/DSM), as well as 3D objects and city models. They also introduced approaches to data processing, visualization and access patterns, as well as the Gemma Fusion solution and the new supercomputing infrastructure.

The study visit to Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia provided the FGA delegation with valuable insight into practical solutions and best practices in the field of spatial data infrastructure, 3D data management, and modern geoportal services. The knowledge will serve as an important contribution to the continued implementation of the DELEF and GIVE projects, the improvement of the SDI of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the development of new digital services for citizens, institutions and the private sector.

Workshop on Planning DELEF Project Activities for 2026 Held

Workshop on Planning DELEF Project Activities for 2026 Held

Hosted by the Republic Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs of the Republic of Srpska (RGU RS), a workshop for planning activities within the project Digital Enhancement of Land Administration for the Future of the EU – DELEF was held in Trebinje from 20 to 22 October 2025. The project is implemented with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and in partnership with Lantmäteriet from Sweden.

The workshop was attended by representatives of RGU RS, the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs (FGU), and Lantmäteriet as the project’s technical partner.

The aim of the workshop was to align the activity plan for 2026 in accordance with the provisions of the Project Implementation Agreement and the framework defined by Sida. During the meeting, the progress of implementation to date was analyzed, and it was concluded that the activities are proceeding according to the planned schedule, with no need for major adjustments.

The DELEF Project aims to improve land administration and spatial infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina through digital transformation, strengthening institutional capacities, and applying European interoperability standards.

The project is implemented through four support components:

  1. Capacity building – strengthening institutional, professional, and technical capacities of the geodetic authorities;
  2. Support for mass property valuation – developing and testing valuation models and standards;
  3. Support for spatial data infrastructure (SDI) – enhancing interoperability, standardization, and exchange of spatial information;
  4. Support for geodetic infrastructure – modernization of reference systems and improvement of geodetic data quality control.

It was concluded that the planned activities for 2026 will further strengthen the institutional capacities and contribute to the successful achievement of the strategic goals of the DELEF Project, with continued technical support from Lantmäteriet and Sida, and close cooperation between the entity-level geodetic authorities.

Establishment of a Monitoring System for SDI FBiH Network Services

Establishment of a Monitoring System for SDI FBiH Network Services

The Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs has established a system for monitoring the network services of the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDI FBiH), available at: https://ippfbih.gov.ba/monitoring/.

This system enables continuous monitoring of the availability and functionality of network services (WMS, WFS, ATOM, etc.) published by institutions – SDI FBiH subjects. The goal of establishing the monitoring system is to ensure greater transparency, reliability, and quality of the data and services that form part of the spatial data infrastructure in the Federation of BiH.

The monitoring system provides:
• real-time tracking of network service status,
• automatic logging of possible service interruptions,
• analysis of service availability over a selected time period,
• support to institutions in maintaining a high level of interoperability and compliance with the INSPIRE Directive and relevant standards.

The establishment of this system represents an important step in strengthening the transparency and functionality of SDI FBiH, as it allows all participants and users to easily check the status and availability of services published within the SDI FBiH framework.

Further development plans include expanding system functionalities and integrating it with other components of the SDI portal, which will further enhance the quality and sustainability of the spatial data infrastructure of the Federation of BiH.

48th Session of the SDI Council of FBiH Held

48th Session of the SDI Council of FBiH Held

On September 25, 2025, the 48th session of the SDI Council of the Federation of BiH was held in Mostar, within the framework of the “Days of the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina” Conference.

The Council discussed the following agenda items:

  1. Adoption of the agenda of the 48th session of the SDI Council of FBiH;
  2. Adoption of the minutes from the previous 47th session of the SDI Council of FBiH;
  3. Information on the appointment of a new member of the SDI Council of FBiH and introduction;
  4. Information on the implementation of the Work Plan for the establishment, maintenance, and development of SDI FBiH for 2025;
  5. Information on planned support activities for entities in entering data into SDI FBiH applications;
  6. Information on the drafting of a bylaw – Implementing Rules for SDI FBiH network services (first draft);
  7. Information on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and institutional cooperation within the GeoConnect project;
  8. Information on the ongoing 6th Conference “Days of SDI Federation of BiH” with proposed conclusions;
  9. Other.

Through discussion, Council members contributed to improving activities related to the implementation of the SDI of the Federation of BiH, with particular emphasis on the planned tasks for 2025, strengthening cooperation with SDI entities, and active participation in the program of the “Days of the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina” Conference.

Conference “Days of SDI FBiH” held in Mostar

Conference “Days of SDI FBiH” held in Mostar

The sixth “Days of the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina” Conference was held on September 25–26, 2025, in Mostar, organized by the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs as the coordinating body of the Spatial Data Infrastructure in the Federation of BiH. The Conference was organized with the support of the GeoConnect project, financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency under the Matra program.

During the opening session, participants had the opportunity to hear speeches from the Chair of the SDI Council of FBiH and Director of the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs, Mr. Željko Obradović, a representative of the Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority, Mr. Mikael Lilje, and the Mayor of Mostar, Mr. Mario Kordić.

The Conference served as an important occasion for gathering all relevant stakeholders in the field of SDI – a place for exchanging views and experiences, as well as gaining insights into the current progress. It is especially worth highlighting that this year’s edition was the most attended so far, with a total of 120 participants from 56 different institutions.

The Conference program was spread over two working days with a total of five sessions, where the fourth and fifth sessions were organized as panel discussions on the following topics:

  • “Practical applications and benefits of SDI”
  • “Examples of good practice and interoperability in managing spatial data and network services.”

It should be recalled that the main goal of the Spatial Data Infrastructure is to create the conditions for consolidating all spatial data in one place, ensuring their inventory and availability. Capacity building, education, and awareness-raising are key activities in the development of SDI, and this Conference represents one of the means of their implementation.

Below are the conclusions from this year’s Conference, while the photo gallery and presentation repository will be published in the coming days.

Conclusions of the Conference:

  1. Further progress of SDI FBiH is recognized in the institutional involvement of entities, standardization of processes, and increased availability of spatial data through SDI applications (SDI Registers, Metadata Catalog, geoportal, and network services), with continuous support from the Coordinating Body and the SDI Council of FBiH.
  2. Further development of the formal implementation framework based on the SDI Law and Strategy (implementing rules and technical guidelines) is supported, with regular reporting to the SDI Council of FBiH and the inclusion of the professional public through public consultations.
  3. Full support is given to the GIVE, GeoConnect, and DELEF projects as key drivers of technical and institutional advancement of SDI FBiH, including capacity building, interoperability, and alignment with European standards, as well as the active involvement of the academic sector.
  4. SDI FBiH entities are invited to proactively use the opportunities offered by the projects, particularly GIVE, in order to increase readiness, publish metadata and network services, and achieve full operational integration into the SDI system in line with EU practice.
  5. The importance of operational accessibility and re-use of data in public policies, science, and the economy is emphasized, with encouragement for open sharing and interoperable network services in accordance with best European practices.
  6. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the continued organization of promotional and educational activities in the field of SDI as a key factor in strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and the exchange of professional knowledge and information.
  7. Participants expressed their gratitude to international donor actors for their support to date in the establishment and development of SDI FBiH, while also stressing the continued need for cooperation with donors and creditors in designing activities aimed at developing the Spatial Data Infrastructure in the Federation of BiH as a key factor of sustainable development.

Professional workshops held in Mostar as a pre-event to the “Days of SDI FBiH” Conference

Professional workshops held in Mostar as a pre-event to the “Days of SDI FBiH” Conference

On September 24, 2025, ahead of the “Days of the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Federation of BiH” Conference, the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs (FGU) gathered two target groups – FGU employees and representatives of SDI FBiH entities – in two focused workshops with a common denominator: how to ensure that the data and information we manage have verifiable quality and recognizable, standardized descriptions.

The first workshop addressed the issue of quality control in the collection of spatial data: from planning field activities and documenting procedures, to establishing control dashboards that transparently track deviations and record corrective measures. Through practical demonstrations, participants were able to see how quality principles are translated into everyday work – what is actually measured, who is responsible for verification, and how results become visible across the organization.

At the same time, a technical workshop on metadata was held, placing metadata at the very core of interoperability. Instead of abstract theory, the emphasis was on understandable examples: how to describe a dataset so that others can find it, understand it, and integrate it without delay; how to consistently apply ISO standards; and how to distinguish between datasets, series of datasets, and spatial data services in practice. This created a shared understanding that enables the SDI community to “speak the same language” when exchanging information.

After a short break, both topics were explored further through interactive sessions: participants defined key institutional needs, mapped challenges, and jointly agreed on the initial components of the framework – from checklists and guidelines to an initial activity plan. It was particularly emphasized that these elements will be further developed in coordination with SDI FBiH entities, to ensure that methodological guidelines are applicable across different institutional environments.

The workshops were held as part of the “Days of SDI FBiH” Conference as a pre-event thematic segment, with a clear intention to convey key messages to the target groups and to launch the conference program with concrete steps. The workshops were organized within the GeoConnect project (funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands), through which capacities, tools, and work processes are being developed for sustainable cooperation and standardized practices within the SDI community.

Workshop “Geospatial Data for Transparent Governance” held in Sarajevo

Workshop “Geospatial Data for Transparent Governance” held in Sarajevo

On September 23, 2025, the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Real Property Affairs hosted a workshop entitled Geospatial Data for Transparent Governance at its premises in Sarajevo. The training was conducted within the framework of the GeoConnect Project – Linking Geoinformation Expertise for Responsible and Transparent Governance, financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under the Matra Government-to-Government (Matra G2G) program.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen pedagogical and technical skills required for future trainings in the field of geoinformation and spatial data, as well as to build capacities for the application of standards aligned with the EU INSPIRE Directive. Special emphasis was placed on the use of modern teaching methods and collaborative approaches to ensure long-term institutional sustainability.

The workshop program included a series of lectures, interactive sessions, and group activities. Following the introduction of objectives and a review of the strategic directions of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), participants presented institutional perspectives and experiences. Particular attention was given to presentations on the concepts and practices of NSDI and the INSPIRE Directive, methods of adult learning, as well as case studies from the Netherlands, Australia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Participants included representatives of universities, secondary schools, and the Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs. The workshop was led by international lecturers Rohan Bennett and Dimo Todorovski, whose expertise and approaches greatly contributed to the quality and interactivity of the program.

This workshop marked an important step in strengthening the capacities of domestic experts and institutions, reaffirming the importance of international cooperation in building a sustainable spatial data infrastructure in line with European standards.

Invitation for Expression of Interest-Research/surveys to determine the level of awareness/knowledge of the benefits of establishing an SDI-first phase

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - Research/surveys to determine the level of awareness/knowledge of the benefits of establishing an SDI-first phase

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Bosnia And Herzegovina

Federation of Bosnia And Herzegovina

Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs

Geospatial Infrastructure and Valuation Enhancement Project (GIVE)

Loan No.: 96760-BA

Issue date: 22.09.2025.

Assignment Title: Research/surveys to determine the level of awareness/knowledge of the benefits of establishing an SDI – First phase

Reference No: D.2.3.3

The Bosnia and Herzegovina has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Geospatial Infrastructure and Valuation Enhancement Project (GIVE), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include design and implement a baseline study on the awareness and knowledge of the benefits of the SDI in FBiH, to be conducted in the first year of the GIVE Project. The specific purpose is twofold:

  • to establish a clear methodological framework that defines how awareness and knowledge will be measured, including identification of indicators, target groups, and data collection methods; and
  • (ii) to conduct the first, comprehensive baseline survey and analysis of awareness levels in order to generate reliable data for monitoring the progress of the GIVE Project and for comparison with the planned follow-up study in year five. This activity directly supports Indicator D.2.3.3 from the Results Framework.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: www.fgu.com.ba

The Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The evaluation of Expressions of Interest will be based solely on the qualifications and experience of the Consulting Firm (individual firm or joint venture). Key Experts’ CV are not required and will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The maximum score that can be awarded to the firm is 100 points, based on the cumulative evaluation of all criteria.

Qualification requirements of the Consultant:

  • General Experience (up to 10 points): Assessment of the firm’s overall business continuity and sectoral relevance:
    • Years in business providing consulting services relevant to the assignment’s domain (e.g., social/communication research, policy/e-government analytics, data collection and analysis, or other related domains) — up to 5 points.
    • Core business relevance and portfolio: demonstrated track record of assignments for public authorities and/or international organizations comparable in scope and complexity — up to 5 points.
  • Specific Experience (up to 65 points): Assessment of project references directly comparable to this assignment (as defined in the ToR), with clear description of the firm’s role and delivered outputs:
    • Design and implementation of large-scale quantitative surveys / data collection (e.g., sampling strategy, instrument design, multi-mode execution, quality assurance and representativeness) — up to 30 points.
    • Application of qualitative methods (e.g., focus groups, in-depth interviews, facilitated workshops; methodological rigor and synthesis) — up to 15 points.
    • Data management and analytics (data cleaning/validation, statistical analysis, indicator development; delivery of cleaned datasets in standard formats) — up to 10 points.
    • Reporting and dissemination (analytical reports, visualizations/dashboards, stakeholder presentations and/or policy briefings) — up to 10 points.
  • Additional Preferential Criteria (up to 25 points): These criteria are not eligibility conditions but award additional points:
    • Experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina and/or in countries with a comparable legal/institutional framework, including cooperation with government institutions and projects financed by IFIs or bilateral partners — up to 10 points.
    • Relevance to IPP/SDI and/or Land Administration, particularly work conducted in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina / BiH (e.g., awareness/outreach for SDI, geoportal promotion, public registries, cadastral/land registration, e-services) — up to 10 points.
    • Local capacity and language: ability to perform services in the official languages of the Federation of BiH (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) and familiarity with the domestic legal/institutional context — up to 5 points.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023, revised February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 till 16:00 local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 07.10.2025.

Federal Administration For Geodetic And Real Property Affairs

Geospatial Infrastructure And Valuation Enhancement Project (Give)

Attn: Iva Vidović, Procurement Specialist

Hamdije Kreševljakovića 96

71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tel: +387 33 586 063

E-mail: give_procurement@fgu.com.ba; cc: iva.vidovic@fgu.com.ba

ToR_D 2.3.3 Study

Federal Administration for Geodetic and Real Property Affairs

Working hours: 08:00 - 16:00
Contact phone: 033/712-616
E-mail: ipp.fbih@fgu.com.ba

Hamdije Kreševljaković br.96

Sarajevo 71000

©FGU 2024, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.