Green Skills for a Sustainable Future: CEF’s Active Role in Empowering the Western Balkans in the Green Transition
The transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy requires professionals highly skilled in green practices, policies, and technologies. Recognizing this, the Western Balkan countries, as signatories of the Paris Agreement, have committed to key elements of the European Union’s Green Deal by endorsing the 2020 Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and its subsequent Action Plan (2021–2030).
With support from the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy and the Climate Change Fund of Slovenia, we launched the Greening Human Capital (GHC) project in March 2024. This three-year project aims to enhance the capacity of public officials in finance ministries and relevant line ministries across the Western Balkans. By improving their green-specific technical knowledge and leadership skills, the project will prepare them to drive the green transformation within their respective institutions.
Throughout 2024, under the GHC project, we delivered several learning opportunities addressing key challenges around sustainable public finance and institutional collaboration, including mainstreaming climate change in public policies, role of communication in green reform processes, and introducing climate change and green transition into macroeconomic analysis.
In 2025, the GHC project will build on its momentum by expanding its learning opportunities for public leaders and policymakers—key actors in driving the green transition. To support these stakeholders, the CEF has designed a tailored learning program that not only enhances technical expertise in sustainable finance, climate risk management, policy drafting, and green taxation, but also strengthens coordination, networking, communication, and advocacy skills among public officials.
Our efforts aim to boost competencies, expand knowledge, and drive the practical application of green policies. Through continuous learning and collaboration, public officials in the Western Balkans will get better prepared to lead the transition toward a sustainable future. Join us and take advantage of these new learning opportunities in 2025.