Climate Bridges Network Meets in Sarajevo

Climate Bridges: connecting regional actors for climate impact

The Climate Bridges Network was created in response to common challenges across the region, including fragmented climate policies, limited institutional coordination, and growing pressure on natural resources and local communities. By fostering cooperation across borders, the network supports civil society organisations in aligning their work with regional and European climate frameworks, including the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

The network and its activities are coordinated through EUKI project Climate Bridges – Network in Action, led by the Urban Research Institute (URI) as the lead organisation of the consortium, in partnership with CENER 21, CIPRA International, Zelena Istra, and the Center for Climate Change. Through joint campaigns, advocacy tools, capacity-building activities, and the exchange of good practices, the project enables local initiatives to scale up their impact and contribute to more coherent, people-centred climate governance

Two days of collaboration and joint planning

The two-day meeting in Sarajevo brought together both long-standing and newly joined members of the Climate Bridges Network for open discussion and joint planning. The programme was highly interactive, combining plenary sessions, group discussions, and facilitated workshops that encouraged active participation and exchange.

Participants worked together to identify shared climate challenges across the region, including water pollution, energy vulnerability, air quality, and the need for stronger community mobilisation. These discussions showed that many environmental challenges are common across countries and cannot be addressed effectively in isolation.

The meeting also provided space to share experiences from national and local climate initiatives. Network members exchanged lessons learned, practical examples, and challenges faced in their work, helping to build mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation across borders.

A key focus of the event was the development of ideas for future regional and cross-border actions. Participants jointly explored concepts for awareness-raising campaigns, community-based activities, advocacy efforts, and policy-oriented initiatives. In particular, the meeting enabled initial discussions on the next Climate Bridges regional campaign, which will be further developed and implemented during the coming year.

Interactive workshop session – Participants working in small groups on regional climate challenges and joint actions.
Photo credit: Climate Bridges Team

Climate Champion Contest 2025

The Sarajevo meeting also provided an opportunity to encourage wider participation in ongoing Climate Bridges activities. In this context, the Climate Champion Contest 2025 by the project allows individuals, civil society organisations, youth groups, educational institutions, and local initiatives across the region to submit their applications, ensuring broader participation and representation from Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans.

Throughout the meeting, emphasis was placed on turning climate strategies into practical action at local level. Discussions consistently highlighted the need to move beyond plans and policy documents and focus on implementation that delivers visible results for communities.

Networking Fair: exchanging ideas and building partnerships

An important part of the Sarajevo meeting was the Networking Fair, which provided participants with a dedicated space to present their work, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

During the fair, organisations showcased their ongoing projects, tools, and initiatives related to climate action, governance, and community engagement. This informal setting allowed participants to engage in direct, one-to-one conversations, learn about each other’s expertise, and identify potential areas for future cooperation, including joint campaigns, project proposals, and cross-border initiatives.

The Networking Fair strengthened connections within the Climate Bridges Network and encouraged new partnerships, reinforcing the network’s role as a platform not only for dialogue, but also for concrete collaboration and joint action.

Networking Fair – Organisations presenting their work and exploring potential collaborations
Photo credit: Climate Bridges Team

A clear message: cooperation is essential

The meeting sent a strong and unified message: regional cooperation is no longer optional. Addressing climate change effectively in Southeast and Central Europe requires shared approaches, mutual learning, and sustained collaboration across borders.

By meeting face to face, network members strengthened trust, built new partnerships, and laid the groundwork for coordinated action in the years ahead.

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