The EU4Green project is driving efforts to improve environmental quality across the Western Balkans (WB6). A report  on “Status of Pollution Detection in Environmental Laboratories in WB6” was published detailing the status of environmental laboratories in the region. This deliverable, which comes as part of broader sustainability goals, presents findings on laboratory capacities for pollution detection across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

The report underscores the role that environmental laboratories play in addressing both organic and inorganic contaminants across air, water, soil, and waste. It draws on findings from a workshop held in Tirana in November 2023, which brought together representatives from 23 laboratories, and includes additional input from 29 environmental laboratories in the Western Balkans.

The findings of the WP1-13 report highlight both the strengths and challenges facing environmental laboratories in the Western Balkans. Through ongoing collaboration, capacity-building, and integration into international networks, these laboratories are positioned to play a considerable role in the region’s environmental management. As they continue to grow in capacity, their contribution to the sustainable development goals of the EU4Green initiative will have an impact on the health and well-being of the region’s ecosystems and communities.

A key highlight of the report is the extensive laboratory network that participated in the findings. A workshop held in Tirana in November 2023 saw the involvement of 23 laboratories, with follow-up input gathered from a total of 29 environmental labs. These laboratories showed significant capabilities in detecting pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and heavy metals. However, there are identified gaps in expertise and the need to expand capacities, particularly in monitoring microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants.

Despite the strong foundation, laboratories highlighted the need for more specialized training and advanced equipment, especially in areas like dioxin and furan detection in air and water, and improved capacities for analyzing contaminants in soil and waste. Encouragingly, 24 of the laboratories are accredited and many are already part of international networks like EIONET, ensuring adherence to high technical standards.

To address these gaps, EU4Green facilitated tailored training programs. The TENUIS laboratory in Albania leaded training on inorganic contaminant analysis, while Montenegro’s CETI laboratory focused on organic pollutants.

These initiatives aim to strengthen technical expertise across the region, ensuring WB6 laboratories can meet modern environmental monitoring demands and align with EU standards. Through ongoing capacity-building and regional cooperation, the environmental laboratories of the Western Balkans will have an impact in enhancing the region’s environmental sustainability and public health, contributing significantly to the goals of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

* 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.