15 September 2025
Also this year, for the fourth consecutive year, representatives from Kosovo participated in the 2025 EU Environment Academy, organized as a collaboration between the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA), and the European Center for Judges and Lawyers. The implementing partner of the project for Kosovo is the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency.
The EU Environment Academy is designed to support legislative alignment and the integration of the EU acquis in environmental protection. Funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the academy offers practical and transformative training for professionals across the Western Balkans – essential for advancing their countries’ EU accession processes. The aim is to provide participants with a unique combination of in-depth knowledge and practical insights on EU policies.
A Comprehensive Program
The EU Environment Academy 2025 is structured into three modules, covering the entire Chapter 27 of the EU acquis on the Environment. Topics include:
• Legislation on waste management
• Legislation on water protection
• Climate change policies
• Biodiversity and nature protection
• Horizontal legislation and EU cross-sectoral policies
Through the program, participants gain practical tools and knowledge about policies that can be directly applied in their national administrations. The course also provides an overview of EU institutions, treaties and directives, as well as the processes of enlargement, approximation, and accession.
Study visit to Brussels and the European Parliament
A highlight of the Academy is the study visit to Brussels, which this year gathered over 30 participants from across the Western Balkans, including representatives from Kosovo. Participants had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament, gaining firsthand knowledge about EU decision-making and the implementation of environmental policies. Furthermore, participants visited the Schengen and EIPA premises in Luxembourg, further enriching their understanding of EU governance and promoting networking and professional development opportunities. Transformative Learning and Networking
The EU Environment Academy brings together professionals from across the Western Balkans for an intensive and high-impact program. Beyond technical training, it creates unique networking opportunities, encourages peer learning, and culminates each year in a graduation ceremony that celebrates the participants' achievements. The EU Environment Academy 2025 runs throughout the year, reinforcing EIPA's commitment to capacity building, promoting EU values, and supporting public administrations in the Western Balkans on their path toward EU accession. For more information, visit https://www.eipa.eu/news/eu-environment-academy-2025-advancing-environmental-governance-in-the-western-balkans/