Nature Aligned Western Balkans: Strengthening biodiversity governance and dialogue
The Western Balkans is home to some of Europe’s most valuable natural landscapes, yet biodiversity across the region faces growing pressure from land use change, infrastructure development, and climate impacts. As all Western Balkan Six advance toward EU membership, environmental sustainability has become a central pillar of the accession process.
The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) guides this transition, helping economies align their environmental standards with those of the European Union. Within this regional framework, the Biodiversity Task Force for the Western Balkans (BDTF WB), coordinated by IUCN ECARO as its Secretariat and coordinator of Pillar 5 of the GAWB, plays a key role in safeguarding ecosystems, restoring habitats, and promoting sustainable land management. Building on this mandate, the Nature Aligned Western Balkans project aims to catalyse a significant transformation in biodiversity governance across the region.
The project strengthens the bridge between high-level political commitment and practical implementation. By supporting the rollout of the GAWB Action Plan and facilitating closer alignment with the EU environmental acquis under Chapter 27, it helps domestic level modernise policies, improve biodiversity planning, and reinforce institutional capacity.
Key objectives
Strengthen biodiversity governance by aligning regional and national frameworks with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the EU environmental acquis under Chapter 27.
Enhance regional coordination through structured collaboration with the Biodiversity Task Force for the Western Balkans (BDTF WB), its thematic groups, and the Regional Working Group on GAWB.
Promote evidence-based policymaking by harmonising approaches to biodiversity planning, monitoring, and reporting.
Build institutional capacity to implement EU-aligned biodiversity policies through targeted training, technical support, and knowledge exchange.
Advance ecological connectivity across the region by supporting the expansion of the Emerald Network as a stepping stone toward Natura 2000 designation.
Enhancing ecological connectivity is also prioritised under the Project. The initiative reinforces ongoing efforts to expand the Emerald Network, laying essential foundations for future Natura 2000 designation. This contributes to stronger cross-border biodiversity corridors and improved protection of species and habitats of European importance. Through targeted training, peer learning, and tailored technical support, the project equips environmental authorities, regional bodies, civil society organisations, and biodiversity experts with the tools to strengthen governance systems.
By matching political ambition with technical expertise, Nature Aligned Western Balkans supports the Western Balkans Six in protecting its exceptional natural heritage while advancing its path toward the European Union.
Project title: Nature Aligned Western Balkans: strengthening biodiversity governance and dialogue
Project duration: 12 November 2025 – 30 November 2027
Total budget: € 321.048,00
Supported by: German Federal Environment Ministry’s Advisory Assistance Programme (AAP) for environmental protection in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and EU neighbouring countries. It is supervised by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the German Environment Agency.
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