Co-Assessment Workshops: Cost and Benefits of the Green Transition and how we measure the achievements of Green Transition
On October 25, 2024, the GreenFORCE project held its first Co-Assessment Workshop, bringing together a diverse group of over 50 participants representing academia, civil society, government bodies, and private sector stakeholders. The workshop, which was a follow up activity on work package 4 of GreenFORCE and its prior co-design workshops, served as a platform for showcasing 5 case-based researches developed within the project and fostering dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of the green transition in the Western Balkans. The interactive format encouraged active contributions and exchange of perspectives, setting a strong foundation for collaborative efforts in the region.
These case studies (see more here) explored critical topics, such as the net-zero transition in Tirana’s post-communist urban neighbourhoods, the local impacts of decarbonization in Bosnia’s coal mining regions or the powerplant closure in North Macedonia, and sustainable mobility strategies for Kragujevac, Serbia.
On the interactive part of this workshop, participants were divided into breakout groups, where they engaged in hands-on discussions to identify challenges, benefits, and policy recommendations for advancing the green agenda, respectively for each of the interest fields. Key highlights from the discussion included deep dives into innovative ideas for integrating renewable energy into urban planning, strategies for stakeholder engagement in transitioning coal-dependent communities, and creative approaches to circular economy practices in the waste management sector etc.
The workshop concluded with summaries from group rapporteurs and reflections on next steps, emphasizing the importance of aligning regional initiatives with the European Green Deal. The collaborative atmosphere underscored the value of multi-stakeholder engagement in crafting effective and inclusive solutions for a sustainable future. The findings from this workshop will feed into the broader GreenFORCE shared research agenda, providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners across the Western Balkans.
On November 13, 2024, the GreenFORCE project successfully hosted its second Co-Assessment Workshop on the theme “Implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans: How do we measure achievements in Green Transition?“
Held online, the workshop brought together around 40 participants from the quadruple helix stakeholders, including academia, civil society, public institutions, and the private sector. The event was marked by dynamic discussions and insightful contributions from key experts, offering diverse perspectives on the governance challenges and opportunities in the region’s green transition, and more importantly followed by an interactive exchange on possible performance indicators needed to be accounted of when talking about transition in the Western Balkans.
The workshop agenda was structured around presentations and interactive discussions, starting with an overview of the first co-assessment workshop’s findings. This was followed by an engaging session on “Green Transition and Smart Specialization in the Western Balkans” led by Dr. Nikola Radovanovic, a senior innovation policy expert, which we had the pleasure of hosting during this workshop. Dr. Radovanovic’s presentation highlighted the critical role of innovation policies in accelerating the region’s green agenda. He emphasized how Smart Specialization Strategies can serve as a tailored approach to align regional strengths with sustainable development goals. Dr. Radovanovic also stressed the importance of fostering cross-sector collaboration to embed green principles into innovation ecosystems, ensuring long-term economic and environmental benefits for the Western Balkans.
A significant highlight of the workshop was the session on the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) from a civil society perspective, presented by Pippa Gallop, Southeast Europe Energy Policy Officer at CEE Bankwatch Network. During her presentation, Pippa, emphasized the critical need for transparent and accountable implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB). She highlighted that, despite the urgency imposed by accelerating climate change, the GAWB has seen limited progress, with unclear responsibilities and a lack of measurable actions hindering effective oversight. Gallop called for the European Union’s new Enlargement Commissioner to ensure that EU funds are utilized effectively in the region, benefiting both people and the environment.
Another key moment was the discussion on governance challenges related to the green transitions in the Western Balkans, led by Anila Bejko, Executive Director at Co-PLAN, which provided an in-depth analysis of the governance challenges associated with the Green Transition in the Western Balkans. She highlighted the region’s vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing the necessity for robust governance frameworks to effectively implement sustainable practices. Bejko identified key obstacles, including weak institutional capacities, fragmented policies, and limited public participation, underscoring the importance of coordinated action and stakeholder engagement to overcome these challenges.
In the end of the insertion session, Dr.Kejt Dhrami, researcher in GreenFORCE, also shared findings from the Policy Answers report and the RCC’s Implementation Report, which provided a detailed assessment of the region’s progress and areas needing improvement. Her insights on developing a monitoring framework for green transition indicators laid the foundation for the interactive session that followed.
On the second part of the workshop, the interactive segment enabled participants to contribute actively to the development of a robust framework for measuring the Green Transition in the region. The discussions were vivid and brought to light innovative ideas and collaborative opportunities to strengthen the region’s environmental and economic resilience.
This workshop served as a vital platform for fostering dialogue among regional stakeholders and aligning efforts towards achieving a just and effective green transition in the Western Balkans. The outcomes of the workshop will inform the development of monitoring frameworks and strategies that address the unique challenges of the region while leveraging its potential for sustainable growth.
