Balkan Rural Development Network

22/07/2026

📢 Declaration – 4th Balkan Rural Parliament

From dialogue to action, rural communities across the Western Balkans are calling for stronger participation, fairer policies and sustainable development.

Adopted in Bar, Montenegro, the Declaration of the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament outlines shared priorities for reducing the rural–urban gap, creating opportunities for young people, supporting the green transition, strengthening local democracy and building fair and resilient food systems.

The Declaration sends a clear message: the future of rural areas must be shaped together with the people who live and work in them.

👉 Read the full Declaration.

This event was supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; the EU-funded project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans – Our Shared European Future”; RIBES – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

Read the Declaration of the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament, outlining priorities for rural democracy, youth, sustainability and rural development in the WB.

16/07/2026

🌱 Follow RIBES on LinkedIn

As a partner in the RIBES project, the Balkan Rural Development Network invites you to follow the official RIBES LinkedIn page.

Stay informed about the project’s latest activities, events, resources and results, and discover inspiring examples of circular bioeconomy and bio-based solutions from across Europe and the Western Balkans.

🔗 Follow the RIBES LinkedIn page here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ribes-project/

Join the RIBES community and stay connected with the project’s progress.

RIBES project | 390 followers on LinkedIn. RIBES is a Horizon Europe project that seeks to facilitate the transition to a circular bioeconomy across 10 regions. | Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions, or simply RIBES project, is a Research and Innovation Action project funded by th...

14/07/2026

🌱 Advancing circular bioeconomy solutions across the Western Balkans

From 17 to 19 June 2026, the 5th Western Balkan Multi-Actor Forum Progress Meeting brought together MTF members and representatives of the Balkan Rural Development Network in Tetovo and the Prespa region.

Through field visits, practical demonstrations and discussions, participants explored small-scale biogas production and composting practices, joined farmer training sessions and visited the Veze Sharri Biogas Plant near Tetovo. The visit offered valuable insights into how agricultural waste can be transformed into renewable energy and organic fertilizer.

Participants also reviewed and validated two promising bio-based business models: small-scale biogas and fertilizer production from animal manure, and food-waste composting for high-value organic substrates. Both solutions were recognised as having strong potential for wider replication across the Western Balkans.

The meeting also highlighted the need for stronger waste-management systems, source separation, supportive policies and greater public awareness to support the region’s transition towards a circular economy.

RIBES project

13/07/2026

📬 Stay connected with RIBES project !

Subscribe to the RIBES newsletter and receive the latest project news, activities, resources, events and opportunities directly in your inbox.

The newsletter will keep you informed about the progress of the project, key results and upcoming initiatives from the RIBES partners.

Join the RIBES community and stay up to date with everything happening across the project!

The RIBES project Email Forms

30/04/2026

🏆 Celebrating innovation in rural development.

As part of the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament, the Regional Farm to Fork Academy Awards recognised initiatives that are driving sustainable agriculture and stronger rural communities across the Western Balkans.

From youth engagement and digital innovation to biodiversity and value chain development, the awarded initiatives show how local action can create real impact.

🔗 Read more👇



This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; the EU-funded project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans – Our Shared European Future”; RIBES – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

The Regional Farm to Fork Academy Awards at the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament recognised innovative initiatives supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development in the Western Balkans.

30/04/2026

🌿 From dialogue to action.

The 4th Balkan Rural Parliament in Bar continued with a strong focus on co-creation, bringing participants together to develop practical solutions for rural development in the Western Balkans.

Through interactive working groups, discussions, and the presentation of the Draft Declaration, the day highlighted the importance of collaboration, shared responsibility, and concrete next steps.

🔗 Read more 👇



This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; the EU-funded project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans – Our Shared European Future”; RIBES – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

Day 2 of the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament focused on co-creation, working groups, and concrete solutions for rural development in the Western Balkans.

29/04/2026

🌿 Field visits during the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament in Montenegro offered a closer look at how rural development works in practice.

From Kuća Maslina in Stari Bar, to Lućka in Tuzi and Drita’s Homemade Products in Podgorica, participants explored local initiatives that connect tradition, innovation, and sustainable practices.

🔗 Read more 👇



This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; the EU-funded project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans – Our Shared European Future”; RIBES project – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

Field visits during the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament in Montenegro highlighted local initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and rural entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans.

29/04/2026

The 4th Balkan Rural Parliament opened in Bar with a focus on regional cooperation, dialogue, and key rural development challenges.

The first day brought together diverse perspectives and set the foundation for the discussions and co-creation sessions that followed.

Read more 👇



This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; the EU-funded project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans – Our Shared European Future”; RIBES project - Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

The 4th Balkan Rural Parliament brought together regional stakeholders to discuss rural development, sustainability, and cooperation across the Western Balkans.

27/04/2026

🌱 The 4th Balkan Rural Parliament hosted the Regional Farm to Fork Academy Awards, recognising initiatives that contribute to sustainable agriculture and rural development across the Western Balkans.

The awards are part of the project “Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans, Our shared European future”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the network of national rural development networks in the region.

🏆 Awarded initiatives:
🇧🇦 Network of Young Agripreneurs, “Campaign: Youth in Agriculture” Mreža mladih agropreduzetnika
🇷🇸 GFT Brothers DOO Beograd, “MOBA” Moba zajednica
🇽🇰 Beekeeping Etniki Bletaria Etniki

Selected from 79 applications from across the region, these initiatives stood out for their innovation, sustainability, and impact in rural communities.

💬 From supporting young people in agriculture, to introducing digital solutions and promoting biodiversity and local products, the awarded initiatives show how rural communities are already contributing to greener and more resilient food systems.

Farm to Fork Academy



This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; EU funded project - Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans - Our shared European future; RIBES – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.

27/04/2026

🌱 The Regional Farm to Fork Academy Awards, held during the 4th Balkan Rural Parliament, highlighted inspiring initiatives from across the Western Balkans that are contributing to more sustainable food systems and rural development.

🏆 Congratulations to the winners and all participants for their dedication, ideas, and commitment to a greener and more resilient regional future.

This event is supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund; the German Government through GIZ within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans; EU funded project - Farm to Fork Academy for Green Western Balkans - Our shared European future; RIBES – Regional Inclusive Biobased Entrepreneurship Solutions; and SWG – Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe.