Climate change doesn’t recognize borders, and neither should the solutions. In a region often facing division, climate action is emerging as a unifying force, mobilizing communities in Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece to come together for a shared and sustainable future.

Encouraging participation in local actions and programs is a key measure to address climate change issues in the Balkan region. This was the conclusion of the “Climate Mitigation in the Balkans” webinar, attended by 120 participants from five Balkan countries on October 31. The event brought together representatives of public institutions, schools, civic organizations, experts, and active citizens to discuss climate resilience across communities in the region.

Insights from Experts: Bridging Community Engagement with Climate Strategies

The webinar began with a global and European perspective from Lina Liakou, Global Director of City Engagement & Practice at Resilient Cities Network. She outlined how cities can lead climate action through better environmental strategies, referencing the EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. Lina emphasized that cities are often caught in “polycrisis”—multiple overlapping crises—where resources and operational capacities are stretched thin. She stressed the importance of collaborative local strategies:

“Municipalities are encouraged to build processes and structures to better understand what the challenges are in various systems, convene the right partners around the same table, bring citizens together to create consensus around problems and resources, and develop strategies. These strategies should become a product of everyone’s effort—businesses, non-profits, citizens, and all stakeholders,” she said.

She concluded by noting that fostering behavior change, just transition, and community engagement must start with practical, localized solutions, investing in initiatives that resonate with citizens.

Balkan-Specific Challenges: Overcoming Apathy and Climate Risks

The discussion then shifted to climate challenges in the Balkans, with a focus on Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. Alexei Savin, Head of Studies in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Protection at the University of Suceava, described Romania’s escalating drought conditions, impacting agriculture and water resources. He argued for the necessity of community-led afforestation efforts as a way to mitigate these impacts, emphasizing that only coordinated, large-scale local action can address these growing concerns.

In Bulgaria, Ilian Iliev, an Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Expert from Varna, highlighted the rising levels of carbon dioxide and its adverse effects. He pointed out a significant barrier: the difficulty of engaging citizens in climate conversations. “It is more difficult to get people into the climate conversation at all. Once you talk, it is easy to explain, to convince, and to involve. But in Bulgaria, the problem is how to invite people—apathy is too strong in our society,” Ilian explained. Addressing this cultural challenge requires innovative outreach strategies, such as storytelling or relatable examples that connect climate issues to everyday life.

Circularity: A Practical Path Forward

Mara Angelidou, Co-Founder & Director of ‘incommon’ in Thessaloniki, shared success stories from Greece, where circular practices have transformed neighborhoods. From compost bins and repair cafes to energy production from coffee waste, Thessaloniki has implemented initiatives that involve citizens, schools, businesses, and local authorities. She emphasized that visible climate impacts like megafires and floods make it easier to engage people in discussions and action. “More and more cases give us an opportunity to talk about the climate crisis. Through examples and connections, it’s easiest to explain how this affects your life,” she shared. These initiatives provide a blueprint for other Balkan cities, proving that local, circular solutions can drive meaningful change.

Calls for Broader Participation and Action

Participants reflected on how climate issues influence their lives, from congested, car-dominated cities to polluted air and mental health struggles. Many agreed that more community involvement is needed. Ideas included organizing workshops, hosting webinars, disseminating best practices, and promoting green solutions. Evidence of extreme weather events should be leveraged to counter climate skepticism and strengthen educational efforts.

Toward Regional Cooperation and Long-Term Strategies

The webinar marked the beginning of a longer dialogue on climate mitigation across the Balkans. As climate emergencies demand regional responses, the project partners—BG Be Active (Bulgaria), AJSPT Suceava (Romania), and Among (Greece)—plan to continue exploring how communities can collaborate effectively. Future efforts will focus on enhancing understanding of climate challenges and developing practical solutions with the involvement of practitioners and experts.