THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SREBRENICA AS A CONSEQUENCE OF AGGRESSION

 

Dr. Senada Nezirović ¹

 

¹ Department of Geography, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Science, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1.    Basic geographical indicators of the Study Area

The municipality of Srebrenica is located in the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region in the Northeastern Bosnia that belongs to the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nezirović (2018). The territory of the municipality is located between 44° 7' north latitude and 19° 38' east longitude. Basic Geological Map (1977). The northernmost point is located near the settlement of Blječeva, at 44° 7' north latitude, and the southernmost point is on the Drina river southwest of the Greben corner at 43° 60' north latitude. The easternmost point is 19° and 38' east longitude in the settlement of Petriča by the river Drina, the westernmost point in the settlement of Žutica is 19° and 8' east longitude Basic Geological Map (1977).

The total length of its borders is 153 km, of which 103 km are land borders and 50 km is along the Drina River Official Gazette, (1981). The area within the stated borders is 526.83 km² or 1.03% of the total state territory Agency for statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016). The traffic orientation towards Srebrenica has always been important, considering the connection from the northeast to the southwest. The municipality has a favorable geographical position towards the larger cities, Sarajevo and Belgrade, primarily due to the distance of up to 200 km. It is connected with Bajina Basta, Serbia, through traffic. The connection of Srebrenica to northern and central BiH goes through the main roads M-4 Zvornik-Tuzla and M-19 Srebrenica-Vlasenica-Sarajevo Nezirović (2018).

The origin and growth of the Srebrenica settlement were significantly influenced by natural resources and road communications. Since ancient times, the settlement of Srebrenica has been associated with a rich mine of lead and silver. It has always been a symbol of silver exploitation and an important border point towards Serbia, due to which medieval cities were built: Donji i Gornji Srebrenik, Osatgrad, Đurđevac, Šubin, Ključevac (Kličevac) i Vratar Kulenović (1995). Many conquerors halted in this area however, the greatest influence on its development has been left by Turks and Austrians Jovanović (1981). The studied municipal area includes 81 cadastral municipalities with 410 settlements, which spatially and administratively belong to 19 local communities Map of the Settlement of Srebrenica (1981). Settlements in the east, southeast, and south of Srebrenica (Petriča, Crvica, Liješće, Skelani, Kalimanići, Dobrak, Peći, Nogačevići, Rađenovići, Prohići, Klotijevac) are located along the Drina River and gravitate towards the city of Srebrenica and Bajina Bašta. In the northern area of ​​Srebrenica along the Križevica River are the settlements that gravitate to the town of Srebrenica and the neighbouring municipality of Bratunac (Gostilj, Likari, Pečišta, Potočari) Srebrenica Municipality (2020). The Križevica river valley was an area of ​​intensive concentration of the population and provided the possibility of more intensive employment in companies. In 1991, 15,715 inhabitants, or 42.8% of the total population of the municipality lived in the 22 valley settlements of Srebrenica Nezirović (2008).

The settlements in the northwest of the municipality (Gornji Potočari, Milačevići, Pale, Babuljice), and the northeast (Obadi, Sase, Skenderovići, Dimnići, Brezovice), gravitate to Srebrenica and the neighbouring municipality of Bratunac. The settlements in the southeast part (Božići, Kostolomci, Žabokvica, Velika, Mala Daljegošta) gravitate to Skelani and the neighbouring municipality of Bajina Basta. The largest number of mountain settlements in the central-eastern and southern parts of the municipality are located away from the main roads and are oriented along uncategorized roads, which significantly affected their growth. The settlements of the western area, Sućeska, and Podravanje gravitate to Srebrenica and the neighbouring Municipalities of Milići and Vlasenica.

The settlements of Luka and Krušev Do, which gravitate to Srebrenica, and the neighboring municipalities of Višegrad and Rogatica are located in the southwest. In 59 settlements in the mountain area of ​​Srebrenica in 1991, there were 20,951 inhabitants or 57.2%. The most vital part of the municipality in terms of residents and population were the settlements of local communities: Skelani, where 4,300 or 11.7% of the population lived, Osatica 3,302 or 8.6%, and Potočari 4,402 or 11.9%. 5,756 or 15.7% of the population lived in Srebrenica. The population had increased in the period from 1971 to 1991 by 7,428 or 7.9% Nezirović (2008).

Figure 1

Figure 1 Populated Places in the Municipality of Srebrenica According to Cadastral Municipalities Source The Map Was Made by the Author According to the Sources

 

During the 1980s, stronger economic growth of industry, mining, and spa tourism started developing in Srebrenica, which caused more intensive employment of the population and more increasing construction Archives of Srebrenica Companies (1981-1991). Thus, the surrounding settlements of Potočari, Sase, and Skelani got a new modern form. In the settlement of Sase, lead-zinc ore was exploited, which also contained significant admixtures of silver and gold Ramović (1984). Intensive changes in the development of the Srebrenica settlement caused daily migrations of the employed population within the territory of Srebrenica, Potočara, Zelenog Jadra, Sasa i Podravanja. These settlements had their gravitational areas, where more daily migrants worked than permanent residents. The employed population from Srebrenica migrated at a greater distance and with more difficult traffic circumstances.

Table 1

Table 1 Daily Movement of Employees From their Place of Residence to their Place of Work In Srebrenica in 1991.
Distance	daily traffic	%	Settlements of local communities from which employees travelled
up to 15 km	2.279	73,2	Gostilj, Potočari, Sase, Srebrenica,[1]  Orahovica, Vijogor, Sućeska.
up to 25 km	269	8,6	Podravanje, Brežani, Skenderovići, Toplica.
up to 35 km	206	6,7	Krnići, Ratkovići, Radoševići, Osat.
up to 45 km	168	5,3	Skelani.
up to 50 km	190	6,2	Crvica, Kostolomci, Luka.
Total	3.112	100
Source Statistical Yearbooks of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic Institute of Statistics, 1991, Sarajevo, Archives of Srebrenica companies1981-1991.

 

The daily trips of the employed population can be observed in two ways: outside the settlement, it was not possible to provide accommodation for all workers and permanent residents, and the other cause was the lack of funds. In this way, in social terms, the so-called “pollutants” were established. This is a category of farmers who have been forced to earn money outside the agriculture but are partly tied to the house and property in their settlement. The development of industrial zones, ore exploitation, strengthening the work function, initiated the construction of roads and reinforced bus lines that transported 8,143 people a day, of which only 3,000 were primary and 1,105 secondary school students Information Service, Srebrenica Mayor's Office, (2019). Daily movements differ by individual activities in which 5,290 employees or 68.9% of the total 7,670 employed workers participated in daily movements.

Table 2

Table 2 The Daily Commuting Flow of Employed Population According to Workplace in the Economic Sectors of Srebrenica, 1991.
Local communities	Population	Employed	Daily employee traffic	Agriculture, fishing	Forestry	Industry, mining	Construction industry	Craft	Traffic	Tourism	T rade	Housing and communal activities	Healthcare, education
Brežani	1.206	128	122	-	23	12	59	2	2	1	5	-	18
Crvica	622	62	58	2	10	10	18	5	9	1	1	-	2
Gostilj	1.146	274	243	2	37	155	25	2	10	3	9	3	5
Kostolomci	1.063	63	58	-	11	5	32	5	1	1	2	-	1
Krnići	1.757	67	57	-	7	8	12	4	-	5	-	-	21
Luka	1.011	79	74	-	43	17	4	6	-	-	-	-	4
Orahovica	1.119	165	156	-	78	18	35	5	4	8	7	-	1
Osat	3.302	330	322	14	45	53	145	13	5	7	4	3	32
Podravanje	780	177	158	-	41	71	34	2	6	-	1	-	3
Potočari	4.402	758	457	1	23	182	169	16	26	27	8	-	5
Radoševići	2.203	124	122	-	35	26	38	2	1	3	2	1	-
Ratkovići	784	122	118	-	44	29	25	11	1	1	-	1	6
Sase	1.131	802	337	-	93	161	13	10	29	2	6	13	10
Skelani	4.380	727	582	-	63	110	201	53	35	48	35	5	32
Skenderovići	1.516	243	238	-	103	105	12	1	-	1	12	1	3
Srebrenica	5.746	2.953	1.600	3	140	457	150	86	287	131	185	28	133
Sućeska	2.935	386	386	12	148	109	65	12	12	4	7	2	15
Toplica	760	123	118	-	51	14	33	4	6	5	3	1	1
Vijogor	759	87	84	-	21	31	8	2	7	10	3	1	1
ukupno	36.666	7670	5.290	34	1016	1573	1088	241	441	258	290	59	290
%			100	0,6	19,2	29,7	20,5	5,4	8,4	4,9	5,5	1,2	5,5
Source Statistical Yearbooks of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic Institute of Statistics, 1991, Sarajevo, Archives of Srebrenica companies1981-1991.

 

Insufficient and inadequate number of vacancies in residential settlements resulted in the immigration of the population to places of work. The outflow of the population ranged between 3,900 and 5,000 inhabitants (over ten years). The city centre of Srebrenica was the most important focus of socio-economic changes in the municipality. Due to the lack of space, the town expanded towards the north along the river Križevica. Thus, a new settlement Vidikovac was built between the main road leading to the northern industrial zone and the asphalt road to the Sasa mine.

The newly built settlement was created due to good road communication and favourable land prices, which is why this area was favourable for the population from the surrounding settlements. Business enterprises in Srebrenica developed and became the main regulator of employment of the entire population in the municipal area. The intensity of socio-economic changes in the settlements was intensified so that Srebrenica in 1980 had a clearly defined socio-economic urban area. It was a general tendency for the city to grow along with the growth of its area and for the character of the urban area to change with the addition of new settlements. This primarily referred to the development of industry, construction, and the development of service industries Nezirović (2022).

The backbone of economic growth during the last century was climatic potentials and healing springs, which initiated the development of spa and medical tourism. Thus, Srebrenica was known for the unique iron-arsenic Guber waters in the vicinity of the city centre. With these changes, the southeast of ​​the city was focused on the development of tourism and the north and northeast of ​​the surrounding area on the development of industry and mining. In this way, the value of the surroundings, especially suburban settlements, has increased.

The entire transformation of the city of Srebrenica is a reflection of the interaction of attractive and expulsive factors. The main attractive factors of the city centre are the function of work, i.e. the number of jobs and employment in the city. Social circumstances, the economic structure of the population, transport connections, and other characteristics were the main expulsive factors. The urban population concerning the total population in the period 1961-1991, increased to 5,746 inhabitants.

Intensive construction in the 1970s influenced the physiognomy of the Srebrenica urban area Official Gazette, (1981). During that period, the construction of the following began: a primary school, the city centre second solitaire, a bus station, a health centre, an Argentaria station, a department store, and several building blocks. The construction followed the course of the Križevica River. Seven new residential buildings and several private houses were built in the settlements of Baratova and Mlinište. This primarily refers to the function of living. In that period, the largest residential settlement Panađurište with seven apartment blocks and 195 apartments was built on an area of ​​1,655 m2 Srebrenica Municipality (2004). The families of employed workers have moved into the newly built facilities according to the housing lists of priorities in the Srebrenica companies. From 1981 to 1991, the urban area in its development acquired the character of relative decentralization, housing construction expanded towards Potočari. By 1991, 7,728 housing units had been built, of which 6,781 or 87.8% were private houses and 947 or 12.2% were 64 residential buildings. The urban area of ​​49,217 ha has 2,827 housing units as private houses (2,116 or 74.9%) and 44 residential buildings with 711 apartments or 25.1% Urban Planning Service, (1997). The average population density in the urban area of Srebrenica was 117 inhabitants/ha, which resulted in overcrowding. The narrow Križevica river valley prevented the expansion of the Srebrenica urban area, so the city's development was directed towards Potočari, where the main economic enterprises of the municipality were. Reinforced bus lines to the neighbouring settlements allowed the arrival of the population from the surrounding area for one day and return to the place of permanent residence. With the growth of daily migrations, the gravitational area of ​​Potočari, Skelani, and Sase was formed. These settlements had more urban facilities and supporting infrastructure, so they had a lower degree of urbanization. The other settlements of Srebrenica were rural.

Figure 2

Figure 2 Graph Showing Urban Population in Srebrenica 1961 – 1991. Source Statistical Yearbooks of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic Institute of Statistics, 1991, Sarajevo, Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2016

 

On April 6, 1992, with the beginning of the siege of Sarajevo, the JNA and the Serbian paramilitary units of the neighbouring state of Serbia and Montenegro (Federal Yugoslavia) carried out aggression against sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, and from 1993, Croatian HVO paramilitary units joined the aggression. Everything experienced under fascist occupation was repeated between 1992 and 1995, on a much larger and more horrific scale. The events of the war caused the displacement of the population, both due to the war and ethnic differences. This marked the beginning of the Srebrenica exile crisis. The population left the territory in various ways in exile, forced displacement, and deportation. In this way, Srebrenica was exposed to losses, both killings and evictions/emigrations.

 

2. Materials and Methods

The paper explains the causes and consequences of the existing state of settlements in the municipality of Srebrenica, after the aggression and the problems faced by the population of this area today. The studied municipal area includes 81 cadastral municipalities with 410 inhabited places, which spatially and administratively belong to 19 local communities: Brežani, Crvica, Gostilj, Kostolomci, Krnići, Luka, Orahovica, Osatica, Podravanje, Potočari,Radoševići, Ratkovići, Sase, Skelani, Srebrenica, Skenderovići, Sućeska, Toplica and Viogor. The valley of the Križevica River was an area with ​​intense population concentration and it offered the possibility of more intensive employment in economic enterprises.As a result of the aggression in April 1992, a large number of residents left the area. This started the exile crisis of the population of Srebrenica. The events of the war caused displacement of the population, both because of the war and because of ethnic differences. During the aggression, there was the strongest migration of the population of this area. The methodology is primarily based on analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, then on detailed field research of the municipality of Srebrenica. In the preparation of the paper, in addition to literature and planning documentation, indicators obtained from municipal departments for social activities were used, as well as statistical indicators of the Agency for Statistics from the population and household census.

 

3. Results and Discussions

The war imposed on Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Serbian aggression significantly changed the demographic picture of the municipality. The Serbian aggressor captured the town of Srebrenica on July 11, 1995, and expelled the Bosniak and Croat populations from Srebrenica. The town experienced terrible destruction and great human suffering. Genocide was committed against the non-Serb population by killing 8,372 people. It was the largest crime since World War II in modern European history Documents on the Srebrenica Crimes Committed in July (1995).  One of the basic elements of the genocide against the non-Serb population was the forcible expulsion and killing of the Bosniak population from certain territories that the aggressors considered to be their ethnic territory. The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended with a peace agreement initiated on November 21, 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, on December 14, 1995 formally signed in Paris. The Dayton Agreement acknowledged Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent and sovereign state in the European Union of States Nezirović (2022). It was not until 2000 that minority returns to settlements in the Srebrenica area began. The first wave encountered 3,687 people having been returned to their pre-war settlements in 2004 Urban Planning Service, (2020). The post-war period passed with the gradual return of a part of the population, and it is characterized by a relatively slow reconstruction of housing, roads, and ore-industrial complexes.

The population is constantly declining, and the emigration of the population has increased, which results in negative rates of natural change. The reduced population is the most obvious problem. Settlements with a very small population predominate. Most of them fall into the category of 1-100 inhabitants (44) in which only 2,260 inhabitants live today. In the settlements of 101-500 inhabitants (31) there are a total of 5,605 inhabitants. There are 5 settlements with 501-1000 inhabitants and 3,134 inhabitants. There is only one settlement with more than 2000 inhabitants Urban Planning Service, (2020) Table 3.

Table 3

Table 3 Classification of the Settlement of Srebrenica
Size	1971		1991		2013
	Number of settlement	Population	Number of settlement	Population	Number of settlement	Population
5,001-10,000	0		1	5,746	0	-
2,001-5,000	1	3,088	0	-	1	2,410
1,001-2,000	1	1,410	2	2,270	0	0
501-1,000	16	10,541	18	11,358	5	3,134
101-500	61	18,251	56	17,093	31	5,605
1-100	1	67	3	199	44	2,260
Uninhabited	0	-	1	0	0	-
Total	80	33,357	81	36,666	81	13,409
Source according to Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016, Statistical Yearbooks of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic Institute of Statistics, 1991, Sarajevo.

 

Figure 3

Figure 3 Graph of the Population of Srebrenica in the Period 1971-2013 Source according to Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016, Statistical Yearbooks of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic Institute of Statistics, 1991, Sarajevo.

 

The aggression stopped the growth of the population and the development of the settlements. According to most demographers, the municipality of Srebrenica had the highest fertility among several municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to the slow socio-economic development in the post-Dayton period, the population rate decreased, which is a consequence of the decrease in population. Today there are 13,409 inhabitants, which is 23,257 people or 61% less than in 1991. The average population density is 14 people per km². All settlements in 18 local communities had a population decline: Brežani -856, Gostilj -400, Kostolomci -644, Krnići -1,318, Luka -658 Podravanje -545, Potočari -2,568, Radoševići -1,617, Ratkovići -594, Sase -906, Skelani -1,965, Srebrenica -3,336, Orahovica -794, Osatica -2,922, Skenderović i-1,347, Sućeska -1,541, Toplica -824 i Viogor -641 Table 4.

Table 4   

Table 4 Population Characteristics in the Settlements in 18 Local Communities 1991-2013
	Local communities	1991	2013	+/-
1	Brežani	1,224	368	-856
2	Crvica	609	828	219
3	Gostilj	1,197	797	-400
4	Kostolomci	1,061	417	-644
5	Krnići	1,674	356	-1.318
6	Luka	1,007	349	-658
7	Podravno	774	229	-545
8	Potočari	4,373	1,805	-2.568
9	Radoševići	1,967	350	-1.617
10	Ratkovići	788	194	-594
11	Sase	1,128	222	-906
12	Skelani	4,283	2,318	-1.965
13	Skenderovići	1,522	175	-1.347
14	Srebrenica	5,746	2,410	-3.336
15	Orahovica	1,112	318	-794
16	Osatica	3,392	470	-2.922
17	Sućeska	2,930	1,389	-1.541
18	Toplica	1,120	296	-824
19	Viogor	759	118	-641
	Total	36,666	13,409	-23,257
Source Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2016.

 

Only in two settlements in the local community Crvica had the population increase by 209 inhabitants and only 1 inhabitant returned to Palež. The return of the population to Srebrenica should be the foundation of political, social, demographic, economic, and national interests. The return not only removes the tragic consequences of ethnic cleansing but also creates conditions for the renewal and revival of the Srebrenica population, which have experienced the most horrific genocide since World War II (Srebrenica Potočari Foundation Memorial and Cemetery, Srebrenica). Due to the war, the mass killing, expelling, and the forcible relocation of the population, the spatial picture of the population changed, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

The returnee population is the elderly population. The average number of households has decreased to two members, with the age composition of the population being less favourable, because the mortality of spouses rarefies them and transforms them into singles. Negative changes have occurred in the age-sex structure of the population, and are manifested by a lower share of the younger population, and an increase in older age groups.

The cause of this situation is the high war mortality rate of the population, which results in an unfavourable age structure, i.e. the demographic uncertainty of Srebrenica. Demographically, Srebrenica is one of the most war-affected areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, living conditions in Srebrenica are very poor and the support of the authorities is urgently needed.

 

 

 

Figure 4

Figure 4 Inhabited Areas According to Local Communities of the Municipality of Srebrenica in 1991 Source According to Institute for Statistics of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1998

 

Figure 5

Figure 5 Inhabited Areas According to Local Communities of the Municipality of Srebrenica in 2013 Source According to Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016

 

3.1. Businesses in Srebrenica after the war

The dominant role in the economic structure in the pre-war period was played by industrial production (The Statistical Yearbook, 1991). In 1991, 2,405 or 31.3% worked in industrial enterprises and mines, and 1,240 or 16.1% in construction Archive of Surveyed Business Enterprises of the Srebrenica Municipality, (2005). There were 1,119 workers in forestry or 14.8% of the total number of employees Drina Forest Company, (2004). After the war, the reconstruction of enterprises in Srebrenica had begun. Thus, by 2017, 936 companies were restored. Bad economic conditions caused many businesses to close, so only 359 remained active. Information Service, Srebrenica Mayor's Office, (2019)

Table 5

Table 5 Employed Population of the Municipality of Srebrenica 1991-2006-2019
	Company name	Activities	Number of employees
1	JSC Lead and zinc mine "Sase"	Production of lead and zinc ore concentrate	1524	357	497
2	JSC Bauxite mine Srebrenica	Mining of bauxite ore	169	41	43
3	JSC  Feros	Production of brake systems	250	Liquidation	-
5	JSC 11 Mart  Srebrenica	Refinement of non-ferrous metals	110	22	22
6	JSC Veterinarska stanica	Veterinary services	4	6	2
7	JSC Zeleni Jadar	Wood processing	703	4	-
8	JSC Guber  Srebrenica	Health tourism and medical rehabilitation	55	22	-
9	JSC Radnik  Srebrenica	Construction activity	736	-	-
10	JSC Prevoz  Srebrenica	Transportation of passengers and goods	503	43	-
11	JSC Vezionica  Srebrenica	Production of clothing	200	-	-
12	JSC Grad  Srebrenica	Tourism and hospitality activities	53	5	-
13	JSC Izbor Srebrenica	Wholesale and retail trade	271	-	-
14	JSC Limko Skelani	Production of tin packaging	150	-	-
15	JSC Napredak Skelani	Wood processing	-	5	-
16	JSC As Potočari	Production of accumulators and primary batteries	575	Liquidation	-
17	Drina Srebrenica	Cultivation, protection and exploitation of forests	617	63	70
18	Polet  Srebrenica	Utilities	109	30	63
19	Dom kulture Srebrenica	Culture, education, information	56	9	10
20	Auto-moto company Srebrenica	Repair and servicing	17	6	-
21	LLC Makljen  Srebrenica	Exploitation and primary processing of wood	-	16	-
22	LLC Fabrika za pocinčavanje	Metal processing and coating	230	45	100
23	LLC Tehno  Srebrenica	Construction activity and trade in building materials	-	24	-
24	LLC Stil Company Srebrenica	Furniture manufacturing	-	4	4
25	LLC Svjetlost  Srebrenica	Trade	-	5	-
26	LLC  Z. Kojić	Trade	-	5	5
27	LLC Agapos  Skelani	Freight transport (cutting and wood processing)	-	3	-
28	LLC Kaliman Srebrenica	Furniture manufacturing	-	4	-
29	LLC Cimos Srebrenica	parts for the automotive industry	-	61	90
30	LLC Boss agro food Sarajevo	Purchase, processing and freezing of berries		16	70
31	LLC Tehnograd Srebrenica	Construction, transport and services	-	8	-
32	LLC Neimar Srebrenica	Construction activity	-	4	-
33	LCC Gusto esapore Srebrenica	Cake and ice cream production		29	30
34	LLC Osat	Construction activity		5	5
35	LLC Auto Moto Trade Srebrenica	Technical inspection of vehicles and catering activities		18	-
36	LLC Bogol Srebrenica	Wood processing	-	2	-
37	LLC Feroles	Joint activity in forestry	-	12	-
38	LLC Pant trade	Wholesale and retail of paints and varnishes	-	2	-
39	Public Institution Pharmacy	Drug trafficking	5	2	-
40	Public Institution Health Centre	Primary health care services	156	44	50
41	Centre for Social Work	Social protection	15	8	6
42	ZZ . Srebrenica, Srebrenica	Production of planting material, land cultivation	15	7	1
43	ZZ Zadruga Srebrebica-Skelani	Agricultural activity	-	7	2
44	ZZ Osat	Cultivation and sale of fish	-	3	-
45	JSC Kamen  Srebrenica	Stone processing and installation	35	Liquidation	-
46	ZZ  Potočari	Mixed farming	-	2	1
47	Youth cooperative Crni Guber	Mediation in employment	-	3	-
48	Privatni poduzetnici	SZR, SUGR, STR		483	655
49	LLC Alma Ras	Underwear and sleepwear			77
50	LLC Klas	Production of products of rahatlokum			10
51	EKO.M pellet production	Production of pellets and briquettes	-	-	25
52	“Ekonomik Group”	Production of construction containers			40
	Total		6.561	1.432	1.893
Source tabular overview compiled by the author based on archival sources of economic enterprises in the municipality of Srebrenica

 

In addition to the mentioned shortcomings in the economic development of the municipality of Srebrenica, an additional problem is the outflow of the young population, especially in the last decade. The municipal authorities must work as soon as possible to create a favorable environment for the survival of the current young population, and strategically plan the launch of economic capacities and the attraction of the population to Srebrenica.Analysing the structure of settlements and the population of the municipality of Srebrenica, we can state that today the image of the pre-war Srebrenica has completely changed, both in terms of population and populated places. Even after twenty-seven years, the refugee crisis in Srebrenica is not over. The big question is whether the exiled citizens of Srebrenica will be able to return to their homes and whether they will stay and live in them after their return, or whether they will leave this area for economic and other reasons.

 

4. Conclusions

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the decline in birth and fertility rates will continue. Decreasing birth rates and increasing mortality will result in high natural population decline and a drastic reduction in the total population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The emigration of the working and fertile population, the emptying of rural areas, and the departure to urban centres that will not be able to meet expectations will continue. Due to accelerated aging, the current average life expectancy could exceed the average of 50 years. This does not mean that some trends in the demographic transition of society cannot be slowed down and provide preconditions for a more positive and stable birth rate. All this indicates the need for urgent mitigation and improvement of the situation with appropriate and effective measures of population and social policy as part of the overall development policy of the country. We should also insist on the return of displaced persons and create preconditions for solving the housing problem for young people, and before that provide employment.

The natural potentials offered by Srebrenica are still unused. Therefore, the cooperation of all entities in the municipality is necessary to accelerate the program development of the economy. The construction of tourist facilities would enable the further opening of this area and its natural resources according to tourist flows and their valorisation in all forms of tourist business. The basis for the post-war reconstruction and economic development of Srebrenica is the launch of the production of non-ferrous and heavy metals, sawn timber, plywood and hardboard, wood and tin packaging, and stone slabs. A sustainable level of industrial production is possible through investment and procurement of new equipment. It is necessary to provide wider sources of financial resources for the reconstruction of about 300 km of roads. Special attention should certainly be paid to the construction and maintenance of the local road network, especially in the area of ​​the hydroaccumulation of Lake Peručac. Agriculture is one of the main activities of the rural population, and at the same time, it is the main factor in maintaining balance and environmental protection. Financial assistance and education of agricultural producers are necessary to use natural resources and reduce poverty in rural areas.

 Livestock breeding, development of fisheries, beekeeping, medicinal plants, and berries, can increase the use of natural resources by increasing production and thus better market placement. The efficiency of the business in the war and market problems are influenced by numerous factors, which further complicate the privatization process, the unresolved ownership structure of existing and the reconstruction of Srebrenica's businesses. A positive example is certainly the economic - cultural and sports event of Srebrenica, which has more and more participants every year and acquires the character of an international event.

Srebrenica with its natural resources, cultural wealth, and quality management, with the help of municipal and regional government structures, can achieve economic development. It is a big job for the municipal authorities and services, which need to invest a lot of effort in order to attract people willing to invest and rebuild the infrastructure and business enterprises of Srebrenica. Despite all the financial resources that have flowed into Srebrenica, economic development is still slow. Poor infrastructure, lack of professional staff to work in Srebrenica, and insufficient conditions for promoting Srebrenica as a place favourable for the development of economic activities, are just some of the obstacles to successfully attracting foreign and domestic investors.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank the Municipality of Srebrenica, for allowing me to see its documentation and contributing to the writing of this research paper, also, the Department for Economic Activity of the Municipality of Srebrenica, for accessing and using their documentation.

 

 

 

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