EU4Green has published two finalized Depollution Soil deliverables supporting Western Balkan economies (WB6) in strengthening soil monitoring systems and introducing risk-based approaches for contaminated sites management—aligned with the EU Soil Monitoring Law (Directive 2025/2360, 26 November 2025).

1) Regional Guidance on Soil Sampling and Monitoring Design and Parameters

This guidance offers a roadmap for aligning national soil monitoring systems with the EU Soil Monitoring Law, supporting the transition from the historical LUCAS Soil surveys to a more robust monitoring framework expected from 2027 onwards. It outlines key methodological improvements and provides tailored recommendations for each WB6 economy to address specific soil threats such as erosion, industrial contamination, and diffuse agricultural pollution. The guidance also highlights the need for harmonised soil unit delineation, capacity building, technical standardisation, and long-term financial and technical support.

Impact: Supports WB6 economies in understanding requirements under the new EU Soil Law, preparing soil health assessments by 2031, and avoiding delays in the EU integration process.

2) Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sites in WB6

This regional report introduces a stepwise, risk-based approach for identifying, registering, and assessing contaminated and potentially contaminated sites, with emphasis on preliminary risk assessment as an early qualitative screening tool. It provides practical guidance for environmental authorities on ranking sites based on potential impacts on human health and the environment, using conceptual site models and scoring tools to prioritise further investigations. The report also connects the approach to the new EU Soil Monitoring Law and links it to planned EU4Green activities, including a 2026 study tour on investigation methods for potentially contaminated sites.

Impact: Enables authorities to prioritise sites for further investigation and plan next steps based on potential environmental and health risks

Deliverables available here:

• Report: Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sites
• Regional Guidance Sampling Monitoring Design