The Standing Working Group on Regional Rural Development as a representative of the Western Balkan Soil Partnership participated in the European Soil Partnership Meeting, held online on 23–24 April 2026, contributing to European-level discussions on sustainable soil management.
Bringing together policymakers, researchers and stakeholders, the meeting focused on shaping future guidelines, strengthening soil resilience, and improving coordination across sectors and regions.
Within this framework, SWG presented the work of the Western Balkan Soil Partnership, highlighting key regional challenges such as soil contamination, limited monitoring systems, and gaps in data and legislation. Recent findings indicate that more than 7,000 locations with potentially polluting activities have been identified across the region, underlining the need for stronger, harmonised approaches.
SWG emphasized the importance of enhanced regional cooperation, improved data collection, and alignment with EU soil policies. Ongoing efforts, including the development of a regional database of contaminated sites and a Western Balkan Soil Map, aim to support more effective soil protection and sustainable land management.
The meeting outcomes will contribute to future policy development and joint actions, reinforcing SWG’s role in advancing sustainable soil management in the Western Balkans.
