Knowledge, Responsibility, and Action for Environmental Sustainability

Objective: This forum, held on Earth Day at Polis University, aimed to ignite dialogue and reflection on the pressing environmental challenges facing the Western Balkans. Organized under the Smart WB project, the event brought together a wide spectrum of actors, including academics, urban planners, and environmental experts, to exchange knowledge and explore collaborative solutions for embedding sustainability into local and regional policies. The forum emphasized the critical role of cross-disciplinary cooperation and innovative tools in promoting environmental awareness and resilience across the region.
Foreseen impact: By catalyzing conversation among diverse stakeholders, the forum is expected to advance the integration of environmental sustainability into urban planning, governance, and public discourse. The insights and connections generated during the event contribute to shaping smart, data-informed, and community-centered strategies for climate resilience in the Western Balkans. In the longer term, these discussions support the Smart WB project’s broader mission to build stronger regional ecosystems for sustainable and inclusive development.
Discussion Points:
[Discussion point 1] Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Extremes
[Discussion point 2] Public Awareness and Environmental Access
[Discussion point 3] Setting Standards for Protected Areas
[Discussion point 4] Leveraging Technology for Environmental Monitoring
[Discussion point 5] Urban Air Quality and Noise Pollution in Tirana
[Discussion point 6] Closing Reflections: Collaborative Dialogues for a Sustainable Future

Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Extremes
Prof. Emeritus Sherif Lushaj opened the forum with a powerful presentation on how climate change is manifesting through extreme weather patterns and environmental degradation in the Western Balkans. The session emphasized the need for regional adaptation strategies, integrating scientific research into spatial planning and risk mitigation frameworks.

Public Awareness and Environmental Access
Dr. Elsa Toska focused on legal and societal frameworks that govern public access to environmental information. Her intervention explored how citizen participation can be improved through transparency laws and environmental education, encouraging accountability in policy-making.

Setting Standards for Protected Areas
Assoc. Prof. Sonila Sinjari discussed the current gaps and best practices in protected area management. She highlighted the need to align local governance structures with international conservation standards, fostering biodiversity and sustainable land use.

Leveraging Technology for Environmental Monitoring
Dritan Prifti showcased the role of remote sensing technologies in mapping and addressing environmental degradation. His contribution highlighted practical applications of satellite data in detecting deforestation, pollution, and land-use changes—tools critical for smart territorial governance.

Urban Air Quality and Noise Pollution in Tirana
Imeldi Sokoli presented key findings on the deteriorating environmental conditions in urban areas, with a focus on Tirana. Her session underlined the importance of integrated urban policies, mobility management, and real-time environmental monitoring for healthier cities.

Closing Reflections: Collaborative Dialogues for a Sustainable Future
The forum concluded with the Polis Environmental Café, an open and interactive space for collective reflection. Participants engaged in dynamic roundtable discussions, each guided by a moderator, to explore practical pathways for embedding sustainability into everyday practice and policy. Conversations touched on the transformative role of youth and education, the urgency of inter-institutional cooperation, the potential of green innovation, and the importance of integrating sustainability into urban design. This closing session fostered a spirit of collaboration, generating a series of bottom-up ideas and actionable recommendations. It reinforced the forum’s core message: building a sustainable future for the Western Balkans requires shared responsibility, open dialogue, and coordinated action across all sectors of society.