Western Balkans Restoration Conference: Advancing Nature-based Solutions under the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans - Day 2, Stream 1

Stream 1: Policy, Finance, Institutions  

_{The Western Balkans Restoration Conference: Advancing Nature-based Solutions under the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans will take place from 9 to 11 June 2026 in Ohrid, North Macedonia, bringing together regional and international stakeholders to advance ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across the Western Balkans Six (WB6).} 

Overview 

Ecosystems across the Western Balkans are under increasing pressure from unsustainable resource use, land-use change, pollution, climate change and other drivers, leading to accelerated degradation and the decline of ecosystem services. In this context, ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions offer effective approaches to address environmental challenges while supporting human well-being and socio-economic resilience. 

Anchored in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, the Conference will provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration. It will address key regional policy frameworks under development, including the WB6 Strategic Biodiversity Plan and the WB6 Forest Landscape Restoration Plan, while exploring pathways for their implementation and scaling up nature-based solutions across sectors and countries.

The main objective of the Conference is to catalyse regional action on ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions across the Western Balkans Six by strengthening policy dialogue, advancing implementation approaches and fostering partnerships. It will facilitate exchanges among policymakers, practitioners, academia, civil society and development partners, with a focus on governance frameworks, financing opportunities and practical implementation of NbS.

The Conference will further aim to strengthen alignment on regional priorities, identify new project opportunities and enhance cooperation to scale up restoration actions and investments, while promoting knowledge sharing and visibility of ongoing initiatives in the region. 

Participation and format

The Conference will convene representatives of national and local authorities, regional organisations, academia, civil society and international partners. It will be conducted in a hybrid format, enabling both in-person participation in Ohrid and online participation via a Zoom. The working language of the event will be English. 

The event is organised by the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO), in partnership with regional stakeholders, and within the framework of the project “ADAPT 2.0: Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the Western Balkans”, funded by Sweden.

 Western Balkan Restoration Conference Programme

(click above and here to see full Agenda)

Note: please note that the Stream 1 ends at 15:30h. Two last sessions of Day 2 could be followed via Stream 2.  Please check programme in the link above.