The Balkan Forum

Partners in Excellence: The GREENBRIDGE consortium brings together organizations with a proven track record in capacity building, innovation, and education: 🌏 BG Cleantech Bulgaria 🌍 BA FabLab Bosnia & Herzegovina 🌍 XK The Balkan Forum 🌍 XK Agjencia për Arsim dhe Aftësim Profesional dhe Arsimin e të Rriturve 🌍 BA SREDNJOŠKOLSKI CENTAR ILIJAŠ 🌍 MT B&P Emerging Technologies ✨️Project Highlights: Development of innovative green and digital training programs. Implementation of an e-learning platform for self-paced learning. Focus on train-the-trainer programs, enabling knowledge transfer to broader networks of educators and students.

🌍 On Earth Day, The Balkan Forum had the honor of hosting the Regional Conference "New Bridges for a Sustainable Future in the Western Balkans", part of the #FastForwardProject! 💚✨ The conference brought voices of change to life through powerful panels featuring environmental experts, youth exchange participants, trainers, and representatives from our incredible partner organizations. 🎤🌱 We were thrilled to be joined by: 🔹 Christelle Philips, Project Officer at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) 🔹 Agim Mazreku, Advisor to the Minister of Environment 🗞️ Media outlets were present throughout the day, capturing key moments and helping amplify the messages shared — ensuring the impact of the conference goes beyond the room. 📰✨ 🔗https://shorturl.at/dZNhe 🔗https://shorturl.at/DNejO Coinciding with #EarthDay, the event added an extra layer of purpose to our shared mission — to build new bridges for a greener, more sustainable future in the Western Balkans. 🌐♻️ 🤝 This project is developed in partnership with six organizations: Build Green Group Albania, AlbanianSkills-National Association for Skills Competitions (NASC), BRAVO - Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities, Eco Logic and BRIGAID EU Project Co-Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. #VoicesOfChange #NewBridges #SustainableFuture #WesternBalkans #YouthForClimate #GreenTransition #EarthDay2025 #TheBalkanForum #EACEA #ClimateAction #RegionalDialogue #FastForwardProject

🌍 Air for Me – Ashes for You This Earth Day, while the world celebrates nature, Montenegro stands at a crossroads — between true sustainability and a future clouded by incinerator smoke. In this piece by Dragana Vujisić, Project Manager at Zero Waste Montenegro, we uncover the dangerous reality behind waste incinerators and what Montenegro risks losing — fertile land, clean air, safe water, and public health. 📊 Backed by European research, Dragana reminds us: Earth is not just something to admire on Instagram — it’s what we drink, breathe, and eat. 🔥 As Europe shuts down incinerators, why is Montenegro considering building one? 📖 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dGTPsyNw 👉 #Towards2030 #EarthDay #ZeroWaste #EnvironmentalJustice #CircularEconomy #TheBalkanForum

On April 22—coinciding with Earth Day 🌍—the FAST FORWARD Regional Conference will bring together experts, youth, and changemakers in Prishtina 🇽🇰 to explore climate education, sustainability, and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. A day dedicated to meaningful dialogue 🗣️ and building new bridges 🌱 for a greener future. The Fast Forward project is being developed in partnership with six organizations, Build Green Group Albania and AlbanianSkills-National Association for Skills Competitions (NASC) 🇦🇱 , BRAVO - Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities 🇧🇦, Eco Logic 🇲🇰 , The Balkan Forum 🇽🇰 and BRIGAID EU Project 🇪🇸 . Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. #YouthEmpowerment #ClimateAction #EarthDay #GreenerFuture #FastForward #TheBF

The March 18, 2025 defense agreement between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo is more than symbolic—it’s a clear commitment to peace, stability, and resilience. 📖 Read the full piece written by Civil - Center for Freedom’s President, Editor in Chief of CIVIL Media Mr. Xhabir M. Deralla, and discover why standing together is the only path forward. Full article: https://lnkd.in/d3BSwpKu #TheBalkanForum #Towards2030 #RegionalSecurity #WesternBalkans #DefenseAlliance #StrategicPartnership #CollectiveDefense #SecurityMatters #HybridThreats #Geopolitics

🌍 This weekend, I had the pleasure of taking part in the Pristina Innovate Healthcare Hackathon hosted by ICR Lab, representing The Balkan Forum – one of the challenge owners with our challenge: Air Guard. What an inspiring and impactful experience! ✨ The creativity, energy, and determination of the teams were incredible to witness — especially the team that brought Air Guard to life: an AI-powered solution tackling one of Kosovo’s most urgent issues — air pollution. A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, mentors, and especially Erza S., Oltë Kukaj, Dardan Bekaj and Dr. Tobias Daniel Gantner for making this hackathon a space for innovation and community-driven solutions. 🙌 🚨 On this note, I’d like to kindly invite Mayor Perparim Rama to take a closer look at this initiative. Developed with care and purpose, Air Guard shows what’s possible when young minds come together for a healthier, smarter, and more sustainable Prishtina. A big thanks goes to the team behind Air Guard: Altin Syla, Sumeja Veseli, Zana Misini, Shuajb Mema, Hani Alayet, Ibtihal Jaidi - for their hard work and dedication. And a special shoutout to Era for making it all a lot more fun! Let’s keep building momentum around solutions like this. This is more than a project — it's a movement. 💚🌱 #AirGuard #HackersHealth #PristinaInnovate #TheBalkanForum #HealthcareInnovation #CleanAirKosovo #SmartCities #AIForGood #YouthForChange #SustainableLiving #Kolegji Heimerer

These past few days at the Fast Forward Youth Exchange in Alicante have truly highlighted how rewarding it is to work hand in hand with passionate young people. Providing them with the tools and freedom to imagine and create solutions has yielded impressive #socialinnovations focused on #climatechange #adaptation. This is the wrap up of the fruitful training: Day 4: Digital Tools & Natural Inspiration We dedicated our fourth day to exploring practical toolkits and toolboxes. Participants learned how to effectively access and leverage artificial intelligence tools online, extracting precisely the information needed for their projects. The afternoon featured an inspiring field trip to Parque el Hondo in Elche, Alicante—a natural reserve and bird-watching area that offered real-world context for their environmental innovations. Day 5: Collaboration & Expert Input The day began with energizing activities that brought lots of smiles and laughter, setting a positive tone for intensive work. Teams then focused on refining their toolboxes and participated in focused group discussions to prepare their final presentations. A highlight was our online session with invited experts from Albania who shared valuable insights about climate change challenges and adaptation measures. The innovative MAIA Resilience EU project and its practical tools were also presented as resources for the participants. Day 6: Showcasing Solutions & Celebrating Achievement Our final day brought everything together as four groups presented their projects addressing different climate adaptation topics. The creativity and depth of thinking demonstrated by these young innovators was truly impressive. We concluded by awarding training certificates and creating a video by the participants reflecting on their transformative experience during this youth exchange. Witnessing these young minds develop practical solutions for #climateadaptation reinforces our commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers. Thank you all very much! And a special thanks as well for are trainers: Oleksandr Babiy, Fjona Kurteshi, Elona Pojani and Nensi Mehmeti Lalaj. This project is developed in collaboration with six organisations: AlbanianSkills-National Association for Skills Competitions (NASC), BRAVO - Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities, Eco Logic, The Balkan Forum, Build Green Group Albania y BRIGAID Connect. #Innovation #fastforward #cofundedbyeuropeanunion #sustainability #youthexchange

🎙️ Bold Balkan Women – Episodi i ri! ✨ Këtë javë me ne është Brikena Avdyli – një zë i guximshëm për 👩⚖️ barazinë gjinore dhe ✊ drejtësinë sociale. Ajo ndan me ne rrugëtimin e saj, sfidat dhe rëndësinë e të kuptuarit të drejtë të këtyre temave. Një episod që duhet dëgjuar nga secili që beson në ndryshim dhe gjithëpërfshirje. 🌍💬 🎧 Biseda e plotë👇 -- 🎙️ Bold Balkan Women – New Episode! ✨ This week we’re talking to the inspiring Brikena Avdyli – a bold voice for 👩⚖️ gender equality and ✊ social justice. She talks about her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and why it's so important to understand these issues the right way. A must-listen for anyone passionate about change and inclusion. 🌍💬 🎧 Full interview👇 #thebalkanforumpodcast #genderequality #socialjustice #boldbalkanwomen

🌍💧 On #WorldWaterDay, marked on March 22nd, Build Green Group Albania highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management. Embracing circular solutions—reducing, reusing, and recycling water—can help prevent water scarcity, limit pollution, and create a more resilient future. Let's make every drop count! 💙 ➡Read the blog written in the framework of 2030 initiative here: https://lnkd.in/dzg6tsBt #GreenAgenda #SustainableFuture #TheBalaknForum #Towards2030

🌍✨Ka filluar Shkëmbimi Rinor 5! 🌱 Jemi të lumtur ta fillojmë Shkëmbimin Rinor 5, në Alicante, Spanjë, në kuadër të projektit Fast Forward. Të rinjtë janë bërë bashkë për të trajtuar çështjen e ndryshimeve klimatike nëpërmjet inovacionit dhe bashkëpunimit. Gjatë 4 ditëve të ardhshme, pjesëmarrësit do të jenë pjesë e diskutimeve, punës në grupe dhe eksplorimit të natyrës — për të gjetur zgjidhje lokale, veprime kolektive dhe strategji kreative për një të ardhme më të qëndrueshme. Le të bëjmë ndryshimin së bashku! 💪🌿 -- 🌍✨ Kicking off Youth Exchange 5! 🌱 We’re excited to start Youth Exchange 5, in Alicante, Spain, in the framework of the Fast Forward project. Passionate young people are brought together to tackle climate challenges through innovation and collaboration. Over the next 4 days, participants will engage in dynamic discussions, team sessions, and field experiences — exploring local solutions, collective action, and creative strategies for a more sustainable future. Let’s make an impact together! 💪🌿 AlbanianSkills-National Association for Skills Competitions (NASC) Build Green Group Albania BRAVO - Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities Eco Logic BRIGAID EU Project Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. #YE5 #ClimateAction #YouthForChange #Spain #alicante #thebalkanforum