The EU4Green project continues to support the advancement of soil monitoring in the Western Balkans. Recent assessments have highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain in effectively monitoring soil health across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Soil health is a critical component of environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. Effective soil monitoring ensures that pollution levels are tracked, and necessary interventions are implemented to protect this vital resource. Across the Western Balkans, efforts to monitor soil, particularly in agricultural lands, have been varied, reflecting differing levels of infrastructure and legislative support.

Albania has established a network of 26 monitoring sites, though resource constraints have limited the scope of its soil monitoring efforts. Despite these challenges, Albania has made significant progress in identifying soil contamination levels, providing a foundation for future enhancements.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the monitoring framework is fragmented between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. While both entities have soil monitoring programs, the effectiveness of these initiatives is hindered by a lack of cohesive legislation and stable funding.

Kosovo has yet to implement a comprehensive soil monitoring system. However, several studies focusing on industrial contamination have provided crucial data, paving the way for more systematic monitoring in the future.

Montenegro conducts annual monitoring with a focus on hazardous substances in the soil. Plans are underway to expand monitoring activities, particularly in urban and industrial areas, to ensure a more comprehensive assessment of soil health.

In North Macedonia, soil monitoring is in the developmental stage, with new laws and strategies expected to bolster efforts. Involvement in EU-wide soil monitoring initiatives could significantly enhance the country’s capabilities.

Serbia has laid a strong legislative foundation for soil monitoring and is in the process of establishing a national network. The integration and coordination of data across multiple institutions are key priorities as the country moves toward full implementation.

Regional cooperation is encouraged to strengthen soil monitoring practices across the Western Balkans. A significant opportunity lies in the forthcoming LUCAS Soil survey, an EU initiative designed to standardize soil data collection across Europe. Participation in this survey would provide the Western Balkans with valuable insights into soil health, aligning their monitoring practices with EU standards.

The EU4Green project remains committed to supporting these efforts, ensuring that soil resources in the Western Balkans are monitored and managed sustainably, contributing to the region’s environmental resilience and agricultural productivity.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.