CENER 21 had the honour to co-organise the EUKI Networking Event for the Western Balkans 2025, held in Sarajevo from 7–9 October 2025. This key regional conference, dedicated to accelerating climate action and advancing the Green Agenda, brought together over 50 climate professionals, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across the region.
For CENER 21, this was both an honour and an important opportunity to play an active role in shaping the agenda and outcomes of the event. As co-organiser, CENER 21 took a leading part in designing and coordinating the three-day programme, reaffirming its strong commitment to regional cooperation, sustainable development, and climate advocacy in Southeast Europe.
Shared Goals and Regional Cooperation
The event opened with strong messages of support from Sarajevo’s Mayor Samir Avdić, German Ambassador Alfred Grannas, and representatives from the Regional Cooperation Council and WB6 ministries. All emphasised the importance of joint efforts, cross-sector collaboration, and civil society engagement in driving climate progress.
Civil Society in Action – Led by CENER 21
CENER 21 facilitated a key workshop on civil society’s role in advancing national climate commitments. Participants evaluated progress on NECPs (National Energy and Climate Plans) and NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), highlighting gaps in financing, local engagement, and policy implementation. The session fostered discussion on how NGOs can better collaborate and advocate for inclusive climate action.
Workshops, Local Leadership & Industry Insights
The event featured dynamic panels and workshops on decarbonisation, energy transition, and climate governance, with a strong emphasis on cities as key climate actors. Representatives from Sarajevo, Podgorica, and Elbasan shared their experiences with local climate strategies and Climate City Contracts.
A session on climate communication explored how storytelling and value-based messaging can effectively counter disinformation and build public trust.
On the final day, participants visited Heidelberg Materials in Kakanj, gaining practical insights into sustainable industrial practices and the challenges of decarbonising heavy industry under the EU’s CBAM policy.
The event concluded with strengthened regional connections, highlighting the importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and civil society engagement in advancing the Green Agenda across the Western Balkans.