The FB&H Environmental Protection Fund sent retraction to the Slobodna Bosna portal. SB published it in full:

The Environmental Protection Fund of the Federation of B&H denies the allegations from your text entitled "YOU SCRATCH MY BACK AND I’LL SCRATCH YOURS: Radončić's director distributed state money to party colleagues, gave 64,000 marks to Sanela Prašović and" Avaz ", which was published on January 7th, 2021. and asks you to publish the retraction on your portal at the place where the disputed text was published.

First of all, it is not true that the funds were allocated to 25 applicants, as you stated in the text and maliciously pointed out only two applicants. Namely, the Environmental Protection Fund, through a public tender for the allocation of funds for the implementation of programs, projects and similar activities in the field of environmental protection for 2020 - JK 2020/1, JK 2020/2 and JK 2020/3 - allocated funds for the implementation of total 186 projects.

Of these, 15 applicants were supported for public awareness projects on the importance of environmental protection: Avaz-roto press d.o.o. Sarajevo for the project "Our environment, our future, let's be responsible!" with the amount of up to 44,000.00 KM, Association of Dystrophists Cazin for the project: "Together we learn to protect the environment - people with disabilities strengthen awareness through education on the importance of environmental protection" with the amount of up to 2,450.00 KM, Večernji list BH doo for the project: "For a green and clean B&H" with the amount of up to 30,000.00 KM, nLogic d.o.o. Sarajevo for the project: "Ecological PATH in nature" with the amount of up to 26,000.00 KM, Obner d.o.o. Goražde for the project: "River Drina-introduction, promotion, education of students, NOV and local population on the importance of protection and preservation of the ecosystem of the river Drina through extracurricular activities and volunteer initiatives" with up to 18,000.00 KM, Association Eco Activa Natura for the project: "Ecological and health factors in preschool institutions" with the amount up to 27,400.00 KM, NIK Denameda doo Sarajevo for the project: "Protect the environment, protect yourself (Guide to environmental protection)" with the amount up to 13,650.00 KM, Association of Citizens Novum for the project: "Digital Journalism-Eco Police" with the amount up to 18,500.00 KM, Institute for Quality Testing doo Mostar for the project: "Project to develop awareness of the importance of environmental protection" with an amount of up to 18,000.00 KM, Citizens' Association Perspective for the project: "Strengthening public awareness of the need for air quality by afforestation with endemic munich (Pinus heldreichii) at the site Prenj" with the amount up to 18,000.00 KM, Tim System for the project:" Your environment, your life "with the amount up to 20,000.00 KM, La-media d.o.o. for the project: "Raising public awareness of the importance and significance of environmental protection from light pollution in the City of Mostar" with the amount up to 16,000.00 KM, Ecological Association Eco-green for the project: "Ecological education of the population" with the amount up to 8,000.00 KM, Association CEKOOR for the project: "Do not doubt the environment, separate waste" with the amount of up to 20,000.00 KM, Association of Citizens of Fojnica for the project: "Eco Hub Maglaj" with the amount up to 20,000.00 KM.

Furthermore, it is untrue that the Director of the Fund allocates funds for the implementation of projects. The decision on which applicant meets the requirements of the Public Competition and how much funds will be allocated to them for the project with which they applied is made by the Management Board of the Environmental Protection Fund. This is after the procedure established by the Ordinance, that is, the evaluation of the Commission for Legal Issues, and then the Expert Commission, which awards points to applicants. All decisions on project selection were made unanimously by the Management Board! Therefore, it is malicious to link the decision on the selection of applicants with party affiliations, despite the fact that out of seven members of the Management Board, only one comes from SBB.

Also, accusing the FB&H Environmental Protection Fund of air quality in Sarajevo is malicious and tendentious if it is known that the cantons and municipalities are responsible for implementing measures to reduce harmful gas emissions. Regarding the activities of the Fund in this area, the Environmental Protection Fund is an institution that collects environmental fees and places 30 percent of these funds through public calls, after 70 percent is transferred to the cantons, and within these responsibilities deals with air pollution. At the cantonal level, the ministries responsible for the environment are responsible for allocating these 70 percent of funds to local communities.