Thursday, 2nd October 2025

Germany Bets €1.5 Billion on a Green Future for the Western Balkans

Education, not just energy, powers the path to sustainability

Germany is set to invest €1.5 billion by 2030 in the Western Balkans‘ green transition, according to plans revealed by GIZ, the German development agency.

At a regional summit held in Skopje, co-organised by ERI SEE and GIZ, speakers emphasised that the green shift cannot rely on infrastructure alone—it must be fuelled by education and skills.

Ilgin Warneke of GIZ was reported to have said that the focus would be on capacity building, modernising education systems, and investing in upskilling.

Alexandru Muresan, a Romanian energy expert and lecturer, reportedly described education as “Europe’s secret weapon” in the green transition, urging proportional investment in both human capital and infrastructure.

Viktor Dimitrievski from EVN Macedonia was quoted as saying that the surge in renewable energy required smarter hiring practices and the development of vocational training through dual education.

Meanwhile, ERI SEE’s director Tina Šarić noted that teachers are key drivers of this shift and stressed the need for education to be fast, flexible, and future-focused.

External expert Aleksandar Macura presented a draft Regional Action Plan aimed at bridging policy gaps and addressing the skills deficit, with the final version expected to be published on ERI SEE’s website.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

Zuckerberg Predicts Mobile Phones Will Disappear by 2030

TThis is inevitable as new technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) devices reshape how people...

ProCredit Launches ProConnect Platform

The platform is the first of its kind in the region, offering firms the ability to present their products...

Switzerland Tops Global Innovation Ranking, China Enters Top 10

China has entered the top 10 for the first time, taking the 10th spot and replacing Germany, which fell...

Meta, Google, Microsoft Pay Top AI Experts Up to $300K

Meta, Google, and Microsoft offer top researchers up to $300,000 annually—and up to $1.5M over four years. Meta recently...

World First: Albania Elevates AI to Ministerial Rank

In a world first, Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence system to ministerial rank. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities