New APD Western Balkans climate working group starts work

From May 15-17, 2023 the kick-off for the new regional expert advisory working group (REAWG) "Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture" in the APD Germany – Western Balkans took place in Skopje. The working group will deal with the adaptation of agriculture to climate change.

Participants were representatives of the six Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – representatives of the respective ministries of agriculture and environment as well as regional experts. The aim was to get off to a committed start in this task, which is so important for the region. The foundations are there: "We no longer need to raise awareness. The awareness is already there. We need to take immediate action!" began Prof. Pandi Zdruli, regional soil expert, his presentation. As a result of the kick-off, the annual goal of the working group was defined: Six regional reports are to be submitted, which will then be consolidated in the coming year and serve as a basis for the development of adaptation strategies in the six Western Balkan countries.

Northern Macedonia will be particularly affected by climate change because of the geographic characteristics there, so the choice of location for the kick-off seemed all the more appropriate.

The new working group is the sixth REAWG in the project. The other, already established REAWGs work on the topics of wine, dissemination of knowledge and innovation in agriculture (AKIS), organic farming, soil protection as well as rural development, women and youth.

The APD Germany – Western Balkans is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and implemented locally by the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) of South Eastern Europe. Implementer of the international consulting contribution since 2018 is IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH.