In September, a series of workshops were held across Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade, and Banjaluka, focusing on the urgent need for climate resilience and smart energy systems in the Western Balkans. As the region faces increasing vulnerability to extreme heatwaves, floods, and erratic rainfall, focusing on adaptive, cross-sector solutions has never been more critical.

Key takeaways from the discussions:

• Vulnerability to climate extremes highlights the need for resilient energy systems throughout the region
• Renewable energy is gaining momentum, especially in Albania and North Macedonia
• Integrated approaches linking energy, infrastructure, public health, and mental well-being are crucial to addressing climate impacts
• Climate change is pushing young people to reconsider traditional livelihoods, driving the need for sustainable development and job creation

A special thanks to Dr.hc. Violeta Bulc and the Ecocivilisation team for spearheading these essential conversations. Climate Strategies is thrilled to have supported this initiative.

For more details, read the complete workshop summary on Ecovilisation’s website.