A bold step towards forest landscape restoration in the Western Balkans

This plan will serve as a strategic platform to guide coordinated restoration of degraded forest landscapes across six Western Balkan economies. Forests play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, storing carbon, and supporting climate adaptation, which is why Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is essential as a long‑term approach to restoring ecological integrity and improving human well‑being across deforested and degraded landscapes. Building on this, the WB6 FLR will identify priority sites for restoration through a comprehensive Restoration Opportunities Assessment Report (ROAR) and establish measurable targets to enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience. 

The Restoration Opportunities Assessment Report (ROAR) will deliver an overall analysis of the current state of forest landscapes across the Western Balkans, covering biodiversity aspects, changes in forest cover and disaster-prone areas. A key output of this report will be spatial maps identifying priority forest landscapes for restoration, aimed at enhancing ecological integrity of forest landscapes, improving habitat connectivity, safeguarding areas critical for biodiversity, and reducing disaster risks. Building on this foundation, the regional FLR Plan will outline clear, actionable steps to improve the condition of forest landscapes, with a focus on areas critical for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. By enhancing regional cooperation and providing targeted recommendations for relevant national plans and sectoral policies, the FLR Plan will serve as a strategic guide for restoring forest landscapes in the interjurisdictional areas of the region. 

The implementation of the FLR Plan, once adopted, is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and advance commitments under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement and other relevant international agreements. 

To turn this vision into reality, it is also essential to mobilise resources and foster partnerships, inviting the donor community and private sector to join forces in supporting implementation of the regional FLR Plan. 

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Durmitor National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Montenegro

Strengthening regional cooperation 

To make this vision a reality, collaboration is key. The Biodiversity Task Force of the Western Balkans (BDTF WB) established under the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and coordinated by IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, plays a central role in steering biodiversity policy and advising governments, exchanging knowledge, and engaging with European and global processes. Under its umbrella, the newly established Thematic Group on Ecosystem Restoration (TG-ER) will provide scientific and strategic guidance for ecosystem restoration in implementation of key regional policy documents, including the FLR Plan. 

Equally important is the consultation process, which will bring together government institutions, public enterprises, academia, civil society organisations, and experts in forestry, biodiversity, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction. These consultations will ensure that the FLR Plan reflects the region’s ecological, social, and economic realities.

“The development of the WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration Plan will be a milestone for the Western Balkans and will represent a united regional effort to restore forest landscapes and secure the benefits they provide. It demonstrates our collective commitment to restoring ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience, and safeguarding nature for future generations,” noted Liubov Timofeeva, Nature-based Solutions Programme Officer, IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

Nikola Stanojevic

_{Adult specimens and larvae of Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) were found within the pilot site in Gledic.  In Serbia, the Fire Salamander is most strongly associated with humid deciduous and mixed forests, using the forest floor for terrestrial activity, while reproduction depends on nearby aquatic habitats for larval development.}

These activities are organised under ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Western Balkans and supported by Sweden. They provide a platform to strengthen the implementation of the revised GAWB Action Plan, explore and execute preparation of reports and strategies such as ROAR and the FLR Plan, and define the mission, goals, and monitoring framework for forest landscape restoration in the Western Balkans. Altogether, this work lays the foundation for developing a regional restoration roadmap. 

Looking ahead 

The development of the WB6 FLR Plan represents a major step toward a greener and more resilient future for the Western Balkans. The ROAR will be finalised in 2026, serving as the foundation for preparing the WB6 FLR Plan. Once the Plan is adopted, it will provide a coordinated framework to guide restoration efforts across the region, helping restore forest landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystem resilience for generations to come. 

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