The effects of climate change are increasingly visible across the Western Balkans, deeply impacting vital, climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and forestry. To address these intensifying risks and foster cross-border cooperation, the Regional Conference on Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture and Forestry was held in Tirana, Albania, under the EU4Green Recovery initiative (“Support the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans”).

This comprehensive Deliverable Report summarizes the core thematic insights, expert contributions, and strategic policy recommendations emerging from the event. It serves as an analytical foundation for shifting from reactive disaster management to proactive, risk-informed planning.

Key focus areas highlighted in the report include:

• Climate Risk Projections (2046–2065): Understanding the shift toward severe heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and intense precipitation events in the region.

• Soil Health and Restoration: Promoting sustainable soil management and organic matter enhancement as crucial buffers against environmental degradation.

• Agroforestry Systems: Utilizing integrated land-use practices to protect biodiversity, prevent erosion, and diversify rural incomes.

• Adaptive Forest Management: Implementing close-to-nature forestry, mixed-species conversion, and cost-effective wildfire prevention strategies.

• Economic Dividends: Aligning regional adaptation policies with EU standards and highlighting how preventive measures save long-term recovery costs.

Strengthening resilience requires a sustained combination of science, policy, and practice across the Western Balkan economies.

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