Background Uncontrolled urbanisation and development in the Republic Srpska (RS) due to mass immigration and poverty represent a significant threat both to the numerous important ecosystems (wetlands) and human health, and are seriously undermining the possibilities for sustainable development. The organisation of environmental protection, which collapsed during the war, is currently being re-developed through a number of inter-related projects supported by the European Commission. The Bardaca wetland is one of the most important ecosystems in RS, as it is a stopover for migratory birds as well as a significant economic asset. However, it is under considerable pressure and the anthropogenic impacts may soon be irreversible. Nevertheless, the wetland area can still be preserved and the area around it economically developed in a sustainable way. This calls for immediate action, cooperation with stakeholders at the local level and conflict resolution. Objectives The overall objectives of the LICENSE project were to (1) assist local communities in developing the institutional potential to deal with environmental protection at the local level, (2) facilitate the process of environmental protection by providing the operational structure, guidelines, and training to both the local authorities and enterprises to cooperate and resolve conflicts, and (3) help in the protection of an important wetland and show how the environmental sector can be organised at a local level in BiH. The specific objectives were to develop the necessary organisational structure, provide guidelines, and train local communities (local authorities, stakeholders and NGOs), to deal with the planning and application of a local environmental action plan and a sustainable economic development plan for the area of the Bardaca wetland. In particular, the project aimed to: · Develop an understanding and assessment of the current situation and future trends for the Bardaca wetland area from the organisational, technical and economic points of view. . Elaborate and propose an institutional organisational and cooperation framework and technical guidelines for the environment sector at the local level; · Analyse the Bardaca Wetland case study, testing the proposed institutional and technical methodology; and · Disseminate the results and raise public awareness. Results Overall, the LICENCE project has been quite successful and has achieved good results. It has contributed to strengthening the capacities of local authorities and communities in environmental planning and project management. The project lead to the formulation of a methodology to develop local environmental action plans (LEAP). This was approved by the BiH Environmental Steering Committee as official guidelines to be applied across BiH. Local level professionals were trained on how to use this methodology and the tools for environmental planning, including a conflict resolution tool. A local stakeholders’ committee was established in Srbac, with an “Advisory Board” in charge of coordinating cooperation at a local level on environmental issues. The Committee collected data and applied the methodology and tools to draft the Bardaca local environmental action plan. In addition, the project elaborated a “Local Spatial Development Plan" that was not foreseen as such in the project proposal. After the end of the project the plan was officially adopted by the local government, and implementation started in 2006. The Advisory Board will ensure the continuation of the activities and sustainability of the projects’ results beyond the end of the LIFE funding. Lastly, public awareness was raised through workshops, dissemination activities, school interventions, TV programmes, an up-to-date web site, the publication of a monograph “Life in Wetland”, and the production of a 30-minute film. The film and "Life in Wetland" publication won international prizes, and have been instrumental in attracting attention and additional funding for follow-up activities related to the wetland. Most materials can be viewed and accessed through the website at http://www.life-license.rs.sr