This event, organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), in collaboration with Estonia and Sweden, brought together EU institutions, Member States, and regional stakeholders. The purpose was to translate insights into strategic actions that strengthen resilience and accelerate EU integration for Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Western Balkans countries. The dialogue drew on policy insights from government speakers and evidence from regional projects such as the Green Agenda for Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the Sustainable Transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH SuTra), and Albania’s climate acquis alignment. Ultimately, the dialogue aimed to identify opportunities and build partnerships to address the socio-economic challenges of this transformation.
The European Commission’s strategic agenda for 2024-2029 places the enlargement of the European Union – with a particular emphasis on preparing for a “bigger and stronger EU” and building resilience – at the top of its priorities. A central pillar is the integration of Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans, with an explicit focus on supporting them as they work to meet EU standards.
This vision sets the stage for robust assistance but also highlights the challenge of balancing competing priorities: while rising defence investments are essential, they often compete for resources with the equally urgent need for a just green transition and strengthened climate resilience.
Given the persistent vulnerabilities that affect energy systems, critical infrastructure, and communities across the region, it is vital that climate and environmental priorities are integrated into broader security and development planning. Embedding climate risk assessments in security planning is not only vital but also urgent for sustaining regional stability and ensuring lasting resilience.
Advancing the green transition in countries in Europe’s neighbourhood – including the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans is necessary to address climate and environmental challenges and forms a strategic foundation for enhancing national resilience, security, and sovereignty. These efforts serve as foundational pillars for broader EU integration and reform processes. The countries in these regions face shared vulnerabilities, including energy dependency, deteriorating infrastructure, climate-related risks, and social inequalities. Addressing these issues demands regional solutions backed by coordinated international support.
This event is organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), in collaboration with the Permanent Representations of Estonia and Sweden to the EU.
The event featured keynote interventions and panel contributions from speakers, including:
Please find the photos of the event here.
The event slide deck is available here.
Project / Green Agenda supports Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine in their efforts to achieve climate neutrality through green transition.
Project / BiH SuTra aims to improve local capacities to implement efficiently and effectively environmental and sustainable transition policies in BiH.
Project / This project supports Albania’s EU accession by assessing readiness to align with and implement EU acquis under Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change.
SEI report / This report provides guidance for Malmö to leverage sufficiency-oriented approaches to reduce consumption-based emissions and engage citizens in climate action.
Feature / Armenia’s biodiversity push ahead of COP17 highlights how ecosystems underpin daily life, resilience and sustainable development.
Other publication / This study examines the case of Tallinn, Estonia, which pioneered local-level regulatory interventions by banning single-use tableware at public events.
