EFSE's Advisory and Capacity Building and the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen gender-data reporting across the financial sector

Mostar, 16 September 2026 – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) and the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) are strengthening their long-standing partnership through a technical assistance initiative aimed at advancing gender-responsive data, policies and reporting across the financial sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The initiative will support CBBH in strengthening the availability, quality and use of gender-disaggregated data, as well as in developing institutional tools and reporting mechanisms that can contribute to a better understanding of gender-related patterns in access to and use of financial services.  A key element of the cooperation is the preparation of the methodological and technical foundations for the enhancement of CBBH’s Central Credit Registry (CRK) and Unique Registry of Accounts (JRR) with gender-related indicators. The initiative also supports the development and adoption of a gender equality policy framework within CBBH’s human resources management, further integrating gender equality and inclusion principles into the institution’s internal policies and practices.

“Behind every effective policy stands reliable data. Understanding how women and men interact with the financial system is essential for identifying gaps, measuring progress, and designing solutions that respond to real needs. Through its long-standing partnership with the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including its earlier support for the institutionalization of financial education, EFSE DF has been helping to advance financial inclusion and strengthen the foundations for more informed policymaking and a more inclusive financial sector.”  said Andrea Hagmann, Chairperson of the EFSE Development Facility.

“Reliable, gender-disaggregated data is essential for evidence-based policymaking and a better understanding of access to and use of financial services. In cooperation with EFSE, we are strengthening our data infrastructure and institutional framework. These efforts will provide a stronger foundation for future policy development and contribute to a more inclusive financial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” said Jasmina Selimović, Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through these steps, CBBH is further strengthening its leading role in advancing gender equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s financial sector, by aligning its institutional practices with relevant international and domestic standards and the EU framework for gender equality.

The initiative builds on EFSE’s long-standing support to CBBH in strengthening financial inclusion and institutional capacity, including previous cooperation in the institutionalisation of financial education. 

 

About EFSE

An impact investment fund established in 2005, the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) aims to foster economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the European Eastern Neighborhood Region. EFSE was initiated by KfW Development Bank with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission. As the first public-private partnership of its kind, EFSE draws its capital from donor agencies, international financial institutions, and private institutional investors. Finance in Motion Asset Management S.à r.l., serves as EFSE’s Portfolio Manager and Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A., Luxembourg, acts as manager.  

For more information on the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu  

About Finance in Motion

Finance in Motion structures, manages, and advises almost €4 billion across 10 funds, all classified as SFDR Article 9. These private market funds drive impact for people and planet through regional financial intermediaries, direct investments, advisory and capacity building. Founded in Germany, with local expertise from Latin America to Eastern Europe, it has been investing in emerging markets for over 20 years.  

For more information, please visit: www.finance-in-motion-com    
 

About Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH), as the supreme institution of monetary authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is responsible for preserving monetary and financial stability through the issuance of the domestic currency under a Currency Board arrangement. The convertible mark (KM) is fixed to the euro at 1 EUR = 1.95583 KM and fully backed by foreign exchange reserves.

The CBBH manages the official foreign exchange reserves, supports and maintains appropriate payment and settlement systems, and provides economic analyses and statistical data to support informed decision-making. It also coordinates the activities of the entity banking supervisory authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and cooperates with domestic and international institutions in carrying out its legal mandate and supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process.

For more information on the CBBH, please visit: www.cbbh.ba 

Media Contacts: 

EFSE: Nusha Westhoff 
Director Marketing & Communications 
+49 69 271 035-789 
press@efse.lu

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Enes Kurtović  
Head of Communications  
+387 33 278 123
pr@cbbh.ba