Climate Bridges Representatives Join EUKI Study Visit to Brussels
Published: June 5, 2025
Prepared by: Marinela Spahiu, Project Manager, Climate Bridges project, URI
The Climate Bridges Network project was represented at the second EUKI Academy Study Tour to Brussels, taking place from June 3-5, 2025, by Mr. Jakob Dietachmair from CIPRA International Lab. This unique opportunity brings together 20 participants from EUKI projects across 11 countries to gain first-hand insights into European climate policy and develop strategies for local climate action.
Strengthening Transnational Climate Governance
The Climate Bridges Network project, spanning so far across Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, is being implemented by key consortium members, including the Urban Research Institute (Albania), the lead organization, alongside CIPRA International Lab (Austria), CENER 21 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Green Istria (Croatia), and the Center for Climate Change (North Macedonia).
As active participants in this comprehensive three-day study tour, Climate Bridges representatives are engaging with policy experts and institutions on cutting-edge climate topics that directly inform their regional work. The agenda includes input and discussion rounds on:
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED) Implementation: Exploring public participation processes in renewable energy spatial planning, crucial for the network’s Local Green Agendas development
- Decarbonizing Heating and Transport Sectors: Learning from EU strategies that can be adapted for Western Balkan contexts and beyond
- Strategic Industries and Decarbonization: Critical assessment of investment in nuclear, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen solutions – technologies increasingly relevant for the region’s energy transition
Connecting EU Policy to Regional Action
The study tour’s focus on renewable energy implementation and decarbonization strategies provides valuable insights for the Climate Bridges Network’s ongoing work developing Local Green Agendas. The discussion on public participation processes in renewable energy planning directly supports the network’s approach to stakeholder engagement and community involvement in climate action.
The sessions on heating and transport decarbonization align with the network’s awareness-raising campaigns on “climate-neutral mobility” and “climate-friendly housing and buildings.” These EU-level discussions provide evidence-based approaches that can be adapted to the specific contexts and challenges facing Western Balkan municipalities.
Additionally, the critical assessment of strategic decarbonization technologies offers important perspectives for the network’s capacity-building activities and Best Practice Toolbox development.
Building on Network Expertise
The Climate Bridges Network brings valuable experience to these discussions, having already established governance structures and implemented successful climate initiatives across the Western Balkans. The network’s approach to fostering cooperation between civil society organizations, governmental bodies, and the private sector provides a practical perspective on transnational climate action.
Through their participation in this study tour, Climate Bridges representatives are not only learning from EU climate policy frameworks but also sharing their regional expertise in developing effective governance models for climate mitigation.
Photos by: EUKI/GIZ
Looking Forward
The insights gained from this Brussels study tour will directly inform the Climate Bridges Network’s on ongoing activities, including the development of campaign concepts, capacity-building events, and the preparation of a manifesto on Transnational Climate Governance Action in the Western Balkans.
This participation demonstrates the network’s commitment to aligning regional climate action with European frameworks while maintaining focus on locally relevant solutions that address the specific challenges faced by the Western Balkans.
The Climate Bridges Network continues to foster transnational climate action through enhanced cooperation among its members, working toward climate neutrality goals while strengthening democratic governance in the region.
Learn more about membership opportunities and how to get involved by visiting our website: https://climate-bridges.com/
Photos by: Jakob Dietachmair, CIPRA International Lab
