Experts, institutions, and practitioners from across the Western Balkans gathered in Skopje, for a Regional Workshop on Soil Monitoring and the Environmental Laboratory Network in WB6, organised by the EU4Green project.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, strengthening regional collaboration, and advancing soil monitoring practices in line with EU standards.

Key highlights included:

• Updates on diffuse soil pollution monitoring under WP1–11
• Insights from LUCAS Soil on the current status of soils in the Western Balkans
• An overview of monitoring requirements under the EU Soil Monitoring Law
• Discussion on future LUCAS Soil survey planning
• A proposal for establishing a WB6 environmental laboratory network
• Case studies, including the OHIS HCH site in Skopje
• Presentations of laboratory methods and research capacities from Cyril and Methodius University

Participants took part in hands-on training sessions hosted at the University, covering: sampling of air and soil, preparation of environmental samples and analysis and interpretation of results

The event concluded with a forward-looking discussion on next steps for harmonised soil monitoring and the development of a regional laboratory network to support the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.