Context
The countries of the Western Balkans seek membership in the European Union (EU), which requires them to harmonise their legislation and policies with those of the EU in several sectors, including energy, transport and climate protection. This obliges these countries to achieve the EU energy and climate goals.
While some cities in the region have already drawn up plans to this end, there is still a lack of the capabilities required for implementation. Yet, it is vital that these countries actively contribute towards achieving climate targets, while also becoming more proficient in urban design, climate resilience and disaster preparedness, mobility and energy. Several institutions and initiatives – governmental and non-governmental – are already making significant improvements.
Objective
Regional cooperation in the Western Balkans is improving the implementation of energy, transport and climate-protection measures in the region in line with EU standards.
Approach
The Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy, Transport and Climate Protection (ORF-ETC) focuses on developing regional capabilities in planning and implementing decarbonisation measures in the energy, climate and transport sectors. The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Under the name "EU4Energy Transition: Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey", the European Union has been co-funding the ORF-ETC since 2021 with five million Euros to support its implementation in the Western Balkans. This funding is used to expand on activities that support municipalities in developing and putting into practice sustainable energy and climate-action plans locally as part of the globally active Covenant of Mayors initiative. In Turkey, the "EU4Energy Transition" project is funded by the EU and implemented by the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPMA).