North Macedonia

Dolno Lisiche, 1 June 2026 — With German support, a new demonstration field for testing climate change adaptation practices in agriculture was opened in Dolno Lisiche, in the presence of senior representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, the German Embassy, and the Macedonian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators from the Western Balkans will take part in a one-week twinning programme in Switzerland from 31 May to 5 June 2026, organised by the Swiss Water Association (VSA) and GIZ, through the Regional Capacity Development Network for Water and Sanitation Services (RCDN+).

In Tirana, policymakers, technical experts, city representatives and regional institutions gathered for United for Climate, where the second day was dedicated to advancing climate-resilient sustainable urban mobility across the Western Balkans. At a moment when climate pressures on cities are intensifying, from extreme heat and flooding to congestion, air pollution and infrastructure stress, the conference sent a clear signal: the region is moving from discussion towards delivery.

Plastic prevention and circular economy in the Western Balkans need more than good strategies — they need practical exchange, tested solutions and strong regional cooperation.

Climate change is no longer a future risk for the Western Balkans. It is already affecting cities, agriculture, transport systems, water resources, public budgets and the everyday lives of people across the region. Floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires increasingly show that climate risks do not stop at borders — and neither can the response.

In North Macedonia, where there are around 180,000 agricultural producers, meteorology has long ceased to be just a matter of forecasting - it is a matter of production, income, and survival. The last decade, 2011-2020, was the warmest since meteorological measurements began in the country, and during the same period, more than 14 additional heatwave days were recorded across the country. Projections show that by 2050, the average annual temperature could rise by 1 to 3.3 degrees Celsius. By the end of the century, under a medium greenhouse gas emissions scenario, annual precipitation could decrease by up to 20 percent, while summer precipitation could drop by up to 30 percent. For agriculture, these figures mean only one thing: less predictability, greater risk, and increasing pressure on food production.

The regional project “Social Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups in the Western Balkans” (SoRi) has been named among the top ten finalists of the 2026 GIZ Gender Awards. The initiative demonstrates how integrating a gender perspective into social service design can lead to more inclusive policies and improved support for vulnerable groups across the region.

Улогата на жената во руралните средини отсекогаш била потценета. Соочени со низа стереотипизации, жените во најголем дел од случаите биле и сè уште се класифицирани како „домаќинки“, но не и како некој кој може да води земјоделско стопанство или да гради успешна бизнис приказна. Дури 70 отсто од руралните жени не се активни на пазарот на трудот поради ангажман во домаќинството и грижата за деца, а 60 отсто од невработените рурални жени вршат неплатена работа на семејните фарми.

Around 50 representatives from key institutions gathered in Skopje for a workshop on cyber diplomacy, highlighting the growing importance of coordinated responses to cyber threats. The event fostered dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity resilience in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans.