Online catalogue of confiscated assets boosts transparency in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

After months of dedicated work, young volunteers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the results of their engagement to the judicial and law enforcement professional community - an innovative online catalogue of confiscated assets developed in cooperation with the UNODC, the Federal Agency for the Management of Confiscated Assets (FAZUOI), and the Tech Volunteers for Resilience (Tech4R) initiative supported by the International Centre for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD). However, the story behind this digital tool goes far beyond its presentation.

The Tech for Resilience initiative, co-led by UNV and UNDP’s Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development, demonstrates how tech talent can make a meaningful impact in a short time.

Over the course of several months, dedicated UN Volunteers worked closely with FAZUOI to better understand the complex process of managing confiscated assets. Their engagement extended well beyond desk work; team leaders visited various locations of confiscated properties in Sarajevo, gaining first-hand insight into how these assets are identified, managed, and repurposed.

These field visits were complemented by a series of coordination meetings with institutional partners, where volunteers collaborated with experts to ensure that the data collected was accurate, structured, and meaningful. Through this process, they not only strengthened the technical backbone of the catalogue but also developed a deeper understanding and contributed to the transparency and accountability in public asset management. The result of this joint effort is a user-friendly, interactive digital catalogue that provides a clear overview of confiscated assets, including their current use, general location, characteristics, and estimated value. By making this information more accessible, the platform contributes to a better understanding of how the fight against organized crime and corruption materializes in the confiscation of criminal proceeds, and how these assets can be socially reused. 

To highlight the significance of the initiative, UN Volunteers shared their perspectives on the impact of the project. The initiative brought together skilled UN Volunteers to put their expertise into action. One of them is Naila Delić.

“This was a unique opportunity, as I find that the development of this catalogue is an important step forward in strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of confiscated assets, and that it encourages citizens to have more trust in government institutions. I gained valuable experience and had the joy of using my computer science degree for the progress in my community,” said Naila.

Her colleague, Alija Karavelić, also emphasized the importance of youth engagement in such initiatives: “Involving young people volunteering and working in projects like this is the perfect way to kickstart a career and replace the fear of 'not being ready' with genuine professional confidence. Also, projects like these are giving opportunities for youngsters to meet seniors and professionals from whom they can learn and get the advice needed to be successful. I am especially grateful to our organizers for letting us work independently and giving us the space to lead and prove our competence with mentorship, coordination, and support.”

At the ceremonial presentation in Neum, the UN Volunteers were awarded certificates of appreciation by the director of FAZUOI, Emir Bašić, and UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, Arnhild Spence, in recognition of their contribution to this important project. This further highlighted the importance of involving young people through initiatives such as Tech4R, which, through innovation and digital solutions, contribute to strengthening the transparency of public institutions and building more resilient societies.