Between Policy and Practice: Green Agenda Progress in the Western Balkans 

Five years after the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans was launched, the Sarajevo meeting came at a pivotal moment. While strong climate ambitions have been set, implementation faces structural, financial, and political challenges. Shrinking civic spaces, energy dependencies, and new EU regulations are reshaping how governments and local actors operate. The event offered a platform to assess progress since the last EUKI networking event in Tirana in 2023, to share practical solutions, and strengthen partnerships — including through the intensified Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans, reinforced days later at the ministerial meeting in Dubrovnik.

“Climate change knows no borders.”

Alfred Grannas, German Ambassador to BiH

Opening the conference, German Ambassador Alfred Grannas reminded participants that “climate change knows no borders” and called for stronger international cooperation, highlighting that climate action is closely linked to social wellbeing, sustainable prosperity, and global security. 

Progress and Obstacles: The State of the Green Agenda 

The Green Agenda, adopted through the Sofia Declaration in 2020, has set the Western Balkans on a path to climate neutrality by 2050, aligned with the European Green Deal.  

While legislation and regional coordination are progressing, implementation often lags behind due to funding gaps, limited administrative capacity, and fragmented governance. Yet, more than half of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s municipalities have developed Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) — some with support from EUKI. 

Against this backdrop, Mayor Samir Avdić highlighted Sarajevo’s symbolic role: “Sarajevo is not just the host of this conference, but a symbol for our shared determination for regional cooperation and concrete action on climate change.” His words emphasised how collaboration is key to turning policy into tangible results on the ground.

Accelerating Decarbonisation: Regional Perspectives 

During the panel Accelerating Decarbonisation in the Western Balkans, senior government representatives from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania discussed how national strategies align with the Green Agenda’s decarbonisation pillar. Albania highlighted its diversification of renewable energy, while Kosovo focused on voluntary, community-driven initiatives, and North Macedonia on inclusive planning with multiple stakeholders. 

The panel also addressed challenges posed by the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Teodora Obradović Grnčarovska, State Advisor on Climate Change in North Macedonia, pointed out a key insight: “When we spoke with different communities, we realised we first need to speak the same language”. This demonstrates the importance of strategies that are both technically robust and socially comprehensible, enabling communities to engage meaningfully with climate policies. 

“When we spoke with different communities, we realised we first need to speak the same language”

Teodora Obradović Grnčarovska, State Advisor on Climate Change in North Macedonia

Building on these discussions, the third day took participants into the field with a study visit to Heidelberg Materials in Kakanj, illustrating how climate targets meet industrial practice. The company presented efforts to increase biomass and alternative fuel use, improve waste management, and reduce emissions, while navigating challenges posed by CBAM. The visit offered concrete examples of how local, national, and EU-level objectives can converge, complementing the insights shared during panels and workshops. 

Civil Society under Pressure: Bridging Policy and Communities 

Civil society remains essential for translating policy into action, yet many NGOs face shrinking spaces and funding challenges. The closure of USAID in the region has intensified competition for resources, and many organisations are forced to act project-focused rather than mission-driven. 

Speakers noted that too many short-term initiatives by different actors orun in parallel instead of in coordination, weakening long-term impact. Stronger alignment among donors and implementing organisations was seen as key to building continuity and coherence. At the same time, local actors remain indispensable for building trust, providing expertise, and monitoring progress. Felicitas Siek, cluster coordinator for energy projects in the region, noted that true transformation requires connecting all levels: “Citizens and municipalities have the knowledge of the situation on the ground.” Without this integration, climate plans risk remaining theoretical rather than generating tangible results. 

Communicating Climate Action: Making the Transition Tangible 

A dedicated session explored strategies to make climate action relatable to citizens. Municipalities and NGOs shared how technical measures — from energy efficiency upgrades to sustainable mobility initiatives — can be framed as part of everyday life, helping to make the Green Agenda more visible. Cities like Sarajevo, Podgorica, and Elbasan demonstrated how the Climate City Contract framework helps connect citizens to climate goals.

Branka Kežević, from the Municipality of Podgorica, underscored the dual challenge and opportunity: “Every city is like a small state.” Her comment reflected the responsibility of cities to translate complex climate strategies into understandable, locally relevant action, while fostering collaboration among stakeholders. 

On the same day, journalist Alena Beširević led a concise workshop on effective climate communication. Participants learned how to overcome public mistrust, disinformation, and “doom narratives” by using personal stories, simple solution-oriented messages, and narratives that connect to shared values. The workshop provided practical tools for civil society to communicate climate action in ways that engage and motivate citizens effectively.  

Networking for Impact: From Projects to Partnerships 

Beyond panels and workshops, the Gallery Walk showcased EUKI projects from across the region. Compared to Tirana 2023, Sarajevo demonstrated growth in EUKI-supported projects and a stronger strategic approach, linking them more clearly to regional frameworks. 

The strengthened Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans added another layer to these exchanges, highlighting the need for long-term, coordinated engagement. Solomin Ioannou, EU policy officer, reflected that international donors and implementers have often worked in isolation — each within their own project cycle and outputs — instead of following a joint, structural approach. Adna Šovšić Kurešepi, from EUKI project TERPEIS, echoed this: “We need an enabling space where we can all exchange.“

“We need an enabling space where we can all exchange.“

Adna Šovšić Kurešepi, Managing Director at REIC

These discussions captured the spirit of the Sarajevo event: moving from fragmented, project-based work toward genuine partnerships that connect local knowledge with regional and EU-level frameworks, ultimately making climate action more coherent and impactful across borders. 

Looking Ahead 

The three days in Sarajevo showed both progress and persistent challenges. While legislation is advancing and regional cooperation is deepening, financing gaps and shrinking civic spaces remain barriers. Participants agreed that bridging policy and practice requires aligning legal frameworks with local realities, empowering civil society, and communicating climate initiatives in ways that resonate with citizens. 

By connecting projects, people, and policies, the event reaffirmed that climate neutrality by 2050 is achievable — provided national commitments are matched with local action, sustained partnerships, and clear public communication.