ADAPT 2.0: Building on Success for Climate and Biodiversity in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans is facing increasingly severe climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, floods, droughts, and forest fires. These climate challenges not only threaten biodiversity but also jeopardize the livelihoods, health, and well-being of local communities. Ecosystems are becoming more degraded, reducing their ability to provide essential services such as clean water, soil fertility, and natural disaster prevention. As a result, the region is highly vulnerable to climate risks, which are expected to intensify in the coming decades.
To address these pressing issues, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a sustainable and effective approach. NbS, such as forest restoration, wetland conservation, and sustainable agriculture, work with nature to mitigate climate change and enhance resilience. By restoring degraded ecosystems and implementing nature-based practices, NbS can improve water management, reduce flood risks, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity, all while strengthening local communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change. As part of a comprehensive strategy for climate resilience, NbS provide a dual benefit: they help mitigate climate impacts and support long-term adaptation, making them a key solution to the region’s growing climate challenges.
Following the achievements of ADAPT: Nature-based Solutions for resilient societies in the Western Balkans, which showcased the effectiveness of NbS in tackling climate, disaster risk reduction and biodiversity challenges, ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Western Balkans takes the next step by deepening knowledge, scaling up efforts, and fostering regional collaboration. The first phase laid a strong foundation through successful pilot projects, capacity-building initiatives, and policy engagement, setting the stage for broader impact in the Western Balkans.
What is ADAPT 2.0?
ADAPT 2.0 demonstrates the value of NbS by strengthening regional resilience and promoting sustainable development. In this new phase, the initiative aims to enhance understanding of NbS for climate change mitigation and adaptation, while promoting their integration into regional policies and practices. Building on lessons learned from the first phase, the project facilitates regional cooperation by embedding NbS into policies and practice aligned with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) and supports the development of strategic frameworks such as the Western Balkans Forest Landscape Restoration Plan. ADAPT 2.0 aims to catalyse opportunities for deploying NbS on the ground in the Western Balkans, with a long-term focus. One of its key goals is to establish a regional fund by the end of the project to mobilise resources for future NbS development and implementation, in line with regional restoration plans.
Key Objectives
- Deepen Knowledge and Awareness: Build on the lessons of ADAPT 1.0 to enhance understanding of NbS among decision-makers, local communities, and practitioners.
- Support Regional Policies: Align NbS initiatives with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and develop strategic frameworks, including the Western Balkans Forest Landscape Restoration Plan.
- Implement and Scale NbS: Expand pilot projects in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia while establishing a Regional Fund for sustainable NbS financing.
Key Activities
- Capacity Building and Collaboration: Organise workshops, training sessions, and the Community of Practice to connect stakeholders and promote NbS best practices.
- Strategic Planning: Create tools like the Forest Landscape Restoration Plan to guide restoration efforts and secure financing for long-term impact.
- On-the-Ground Action: Implement scalable NbS projects and monitor outcomes from ADAPT 1.0 to inform future interventions.
- Public Engagement: Host awareness campaigns and Western Balkans Nature Restoration Conferences to spotlight the benefits of NbS and foster regional cooperation.
Why It Matters
ADAPT 2.0 addresses critical climate and biodiversity challenges while delivering co-benefits such as disaster risk reduction, improved livelihoods, and strengthened ecosystems. By integrating NbS into regional development and policy frameworks, the project drives progress toward a sustainable, resilient, and nature-positive future for the Western Balkans.
The initiative is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Project title: ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Western Balkans
Project duration: September 2024 – August 2028
Total budget: € 2,371,229.00 (SEK 27 000 000 )
