Dr. Venera Simonović, a member of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is also actively involved in the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where her professional engagement contributes to initiatives aimed at improving the position of engineers, strengthening the legal framework, and advancing the social responsibility of the profession.
Although the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not formally affiliated with BHAAAS, Dr. Simonović’s involvement in both organizations represents an example of connecting professional expertise, institutional action, and socially responsible initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has implemented a range of activities aimed at advancing the engineering profession, improving the legal regulation of construction and engineering activities, and ensuring stronger involvement of experts in addressing issues important to public safety and community development.
“Through their knowledge and experience, engineers can make a significant contribution to improving legislation, protecting public safety, and supporting the development of society. It is therefore important for the profession to be actively involved in decision-making processes, particularly in areas directly related to construction, infrastructure, the protection of people, and risk management,” Dr. Simonović emphasizes.
Contribution to Improving the Legal Framework
One of the Chamber’s key areas of activity is the improvement of regulations governing construction and engineering services. An initiative proposing amendments to the Regulation on Construction Site Organization, Mandatory Construction Site Documentation, and Participants in Construction was submitted to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and accepted by the competent ministry.
The Chamber also initiated the establishment of an interdepartmental working group tasked with drafting the Law on the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its members participated in the work of the commission together with representatives of the competent ministries. The draft law has been completed and submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice for further consideration.
Significant efforts were also made regarding identified shortcomings in the registration of companies from Republika Srpska seeking to conduct geological research in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Chamber submitted an urgent request to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the relevant ministries, inspection authorities, and parliamentary committees. The initiative received unanimous support for resolving an issue that negatively affects the economy, education, and public revenues.
Cooperation for Higher-Quality Public Procurement
To improve the quality and transparency of public procurement procedures in the fields of design, professional supervision, and other engineering services, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Chamber of Engineers of Republika Srpska, and the Association of Consulting Engineers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These organizations jointly submitted comments and proposals concerning the Public Procurement Law to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the need for more effective regulation of procurement procedures involving specialized engineering services.
Technology in the Protection of Victims of Violence
The Chamber’s social engagement has also included an initiative promoting the use of information and communication technologies to protect victims of violence against women.
Meetings were held with representatives of the Federal Police Administration, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Gender Centre of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Personal Data Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Chamber also organized a workshop entitled “Information and Communication Technologies in Preventing the Most Severe Forms of Violence Against Women,” with the aim of exploring opportunities to apply modern technological solutions in violence prevention and victim protection.
Engineering Support During Natural Disasters
A particularly important area of the Chamber’s work is its cooperation with the Federal Civil Protection Administration. Through a signed agreement, cooperation was established in the areas of professional development, education, knowledge exchange, prevention, and improvement of the legal framework governing the civil protection system.
Following the floods and landslides that affected Jablanica, Konjic, Fojnica, Kreševo, and other local communities in October 2024, interdisciplinary teams from the Chamber were deployed to the affected areas. A total of 32 experts spent approximately 400 hours in the field, collecting data, providing professional advice, and preparing daily reports for the Federal Civil Protection Headquarters.
During this engagement, 25 expert reports containing detailed findings were prepared, and the Chamber received formal recognition for its contribution and assistance to the affected communities.
“The experiences from areas affected by floods and landslides demonstrated how important an interdisciplinary approach, a timely response, and the presence of experts in the field are for public safety and informed decision-making. The role of engineers does not end with the completion of a project. Their expertise becomes especially important in crisis situations and during the recovery of affected communities,” Dr. Simonović stresses.
As a continuation of these activities, a roundtable discussion entitled “A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Prevention of and Response to Natural Disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Experiences from Jablanica, Konjic, and Fojnica Following the October 2024 Floods” was held.
The event was organized in cooperation with the Association of Alumni of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Training Programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina – JICA Alumni BiH.
Support for Stolac Following the Earthquake
Professional assistance was also provided to local communities following the devastating earthquake that struck Stolac in 2022. Delegations from the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina visited the affected area, while the engineering chambers of Croatia and Montenegro provided support and shared their experience in earthquake recovery.
Experts from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar also participated in field visits and preliminary inspections of damaged buildings.
Dr. Venera Simonović’s engagement and the activities of the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrate how connecting professional expertise, institutional action, and social responsibility can contribute to improving legislation, strengthening public safety, and supporting the development of local communities.
Through her work in both BHAAAS and the Chamber of Engineers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Simonović contributes to increasing the visibility of the engineering profession and highlighting its importance for the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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