Western Balkans step up cooperation on ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions under the Green Agenda

The three-day event, organised by IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) in close collaboration with the Ministry in the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia], provides a platform for strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating implementation from policy commitments to implementation on the ground. 

Ecosystems across the Western Balkans are facing increasing pressures from unsustainable resource use, land-use change, pollution and climate change, leading to biodiversity loss and reduced resilience of communities and economies. In this context, ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions are gaining importance as integrated approaches that address climate, environmental and socio-economic challenges, while supporting long-term sustainable development. 

The conference supports the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and contributes to advancing key regional policy frameworks, including the emerging WB6 Biodiversity Strategic Plan 2030 (BSP) and the WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Plan. During the conference, the draft WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration Plan is being presented, highlighting its importance as a strategic framework to guide restoration efforts across the region, strengthen ecosystem services and contribute to improving the state of nature in the Western Balkans through coordinated and collaborative action.

Finance for nature is a central pillar of the conference, with focused discussions on mobilising and aligning investment for scalable Nature-based Solutions across the Western Balkans. Donors, international financial institutions, conservation organisations and technical partners explore how restoration and biodiversity priorities can be translated into investment-ready initiatives, including through project preparation, technical assistance, blended finance approaches, private sector engagement and stronger coordination around regional priorities. 

Vlatko Trpeski, Head for Department of Nature, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia, underlined the importance of joint action across the region: "The challenges facing our ecosystems do not recognise borders. By working together under the Green Agenda, we are reinforcing our commitment to ecosystem restoration and scaling up Nature-based Solutions. At the same time, we must recognise that investing in nature is an investment in our economies, resilience and well-being. Mobilising finance and strengthening partnerships will be essential to turn our shared commitments into lasting results on the ground". 

“Sweden is proud to support regional cooperation in advancing ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions across the Western Balkans. Through initiatives like ADAPT 2.0, we are working with partners to strengthen the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Wester Balkans, by translating policy commitments into concrete action on the ground. Investing in nature is essential, not only for climate resilience and biodiversity, but also for sustainable economic development and the well-being of communities across the region” stated Petra Burcher, Head of Unit for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

"The Green Agenda provides a strong framework for transformative action across the Western Balkans. IUCN is working closely with partners to strengthen regional cooperation and advance ecosystem restoration, translating policy commitments into concrete action on the ground. Achieving lasting impact for nature and people will depend on sustained collective action” stressed Oliver Avramoski, Regional Director of the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO).

The conference emphasises the need to move beyond policy development towards implementation, by identifying practical approaches, financing mechanisms and partnerships that can support scaling up NbS and restoration initiatives at national and regional levels. It brings together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, showcase experiences and explore opportunities for coordinated action across sectors. 

Once adopted, the implementation of the WB6 FLR Plan is expected to further strengthen regional cooperation and support commitments under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. Achieving these goals will require sustained collaboration, mobilisation of resources and stronger engagement with development partners and the private sector to support implementation on the ground.

By fostering dialogue, strengthening partnerships and aligning efforts around shared priorities, the Western Balkans Restoration Conference aims to contribute to a more coordinated and effective regional approach to ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions, reinforcing the collective ambition of the Green Agenda for a more sustainable and resilient future.

The conference is organised within the framework of the project “ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Western Balkans”, implemented by IUCN ECARO and funded by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The project supports countries in the region in integrating and scaling up Nature-based Solutions to address climate and biodiversity challenges, in line with regional and global commitments.