The Center for Responsible Business of Bosnia and Herzegovina, operating within the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has published the Green Barometer of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises for 2025. The Center was established through the EU initiative for private sector development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Project partner Sarajevo School of Science and Technology prepared the Green SME Barometer, a continuous analytical instrument aimed at monitoring the perceptions, practices, and challenges faced by SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of the green transition. The research was conducted on a sample of 103 valid responses from SMEs across various sectors and geographical areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methodological continuity with the previous 2024 cycle enabled reliable comparative analysis and trend identification.
“The research results indicate a moderate but clear increase in SMEs’ awareness of the implications of the green transition for business operations. Compared to 2024, a larger number of companies recognize the potential regulatory and market impact of green policies, particularly in the context of exports and alignment with European Union standards,” stated Ognjenka Lalović, Director of the Economic Affairs Sector of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Specifically, 78% of SMEs recognize the green transition as a business opportunity (fully or partially), while 73% of companies plan to undertake efficiency improvement activities within the next two years. However, the green transition is still predominantly viewed through the lens of costs and regulatory requirements, while its strategic development potential is only gradually being integrated into SME business models.
“As many as 56% of companies use their own funds as the primary source of financing, while only 6% of SMEs use grants. There is willingness for future investments, but it is clearly conditioned by the availability of financial and technical support. SMEs express the need for a combination of grants, favorable loans, and expert assistance in project preparation and implementation, confirming that financial instruments play a key role in accelerating the transition,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Nedim Čelebić, professor at SSST.
According to the research, SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina most commonly implement energy efficiency measures and resource consumption rationalization. This includes optimizing electricity consumption, reducing waste, and improving the management of raw materials and water resources. These measures are largely motivated by operational cost reductions and relatively quick returns on investment. For example, 46% of SMEs invest in energy efficiency measures, while 29% of companies invest or plan to invest in renewable energy sources.
As the main obstacles, 61% of SMEs cite administrative and legal barriers, 60% point to a lack of knowledge and expertise, while 57% highlight the lack of grants as a key challenge. Limited internal capacities and insufficient expertise further slow down the transition process. The absence of significant institutional changes between the two research cycles partly explains the slow pace of progress in certain areas.
The results of the 2025 Green SME Barometer confirm that SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not passive actors in the green transition, but rather companies in the process of adaptation and gradual adoption of sustainable practices. However, accelerating the process requires stronger and more accessible financial instruments, simplification of administrative procedures, strengthening of technical and consulting support, as well as the development of market incentives and integration of SMEs into green value chains. In particular, the need for an integrated approach combining financial instruments, technical support, and the development of market mechanisms is emphasized in order to accelerate the implementation of green investments.
The detailed report is available at the following link: https://komorabih.ba/u-bih-78-msp-prepoznaje-zelenu-tranziciju-kao-poslovnu-priliku/
