Project Title: Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture in the Western Balkans
Why This Project Matters?
The Western Balkans is one of the most vulnerable regions in Europe to climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme droughts, floods, and changing rainfall patterns are already having a serious impact on agriculture — a key sector for local economies, rural livelihoods, and food production.
Agriculture in this region faces many challenges: small-scale and fragmented farms, limited access to new technologies, and outdated policy frameworks. These conditions make it even harder for farmers and institutions to adapt to climate change effectively.
At the same time, the region is committed to aligning with the European Union’s Green Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement, which both call for urgent action to adapt agriculture to the changing climate.
What the Project Does?
This project helps governments and institutions in the Western Balkans develop clear, evidence-based strategies and action plans for adapting agriculture to climate change. It brings together policymakers, experts, and local stakeholders across the region to build shared solutions and long-term resilience.
Key activities include:
- Preparing national strategic policy papers and climate adaptation action plans for agriculture
- Organizing regional dialogue platforms, policy forums, and working groups for shared learning
- Training over 150 experts and government officials on climate-resilient agriculture and EU alignment
- Promoting sustainable practices and climate-smart farming techniques
- Supporting innovation and research on soil, water, crops, livestock, and digital tools
- Improving data collection and knowledge-sharing across countries
Who’s Involved?
The project is coordinated by the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) and supported by German development cooperation (GIZ) through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH).
Participating countries include:
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo*
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Moldova (included in technical discussions to enhance regional cooperation)
National Ministries of Agriculture and Environment are key project partners and beneficiaries, ensuring ownership and sustainability beyond the project duration.
Project Goals
The main goal is to support and strengthen evidence-based policy-making in agriculture to address the urgent challenges of climate change. By doing so, the project helps ensure that farmers, rural communities, and institutions are better prepared for the future.
The project also supports:
- The implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB)
- Alignment with the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
- Progress toward the region’s EU integration and climate goals
Expected Results
- Strategic climate adaptation policy documents prepared and endorsed in at least four economies
- Increased institutional capacity for climate planning and agricultural resilience
- Stronger regional cooperation and knowledge exchange
- Improved readiness for EU accession through better policy alignment
A More Resilient Future
By working across borders and sectors, this project helps create a more resilient, sustainable, and future-oriented agricultural system in the Western Balkans — one that protects livelihoods, ensures food security, and supports long-term development.
