According to the Bank’s website, the Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve biodiversity management systems and degraded ecosystems in selected landscapes of participating countries.

This project aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation, accelerate EU alignment, and foster regional cooperation among Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It will reinforce institutional frameworks and develop digital tools for effective biodiversity monitoring and reporting, ensuring compliance with EU directives and facilitating regional data sharing. The initiative will pilot nature-based restoration of degraded ecosystems and establish a dynamic platform for sharing best practices and co-developing digital solutions. Together, these integrated actions support achievement of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets, harmonize national conservation efforts, and lay the foundation for scalable, sustainable biodiversity management across Southeast and Eastern Europe.

The project’s overall risk category is Moderate. Both the Environmental and Social Risks are Moderate. This risk rating reflects the project's primarily technical assistance and capacity-building nature, which limits direct physical interventions and associated environmental and social impacts. Even though, the aim of project activities is to enhance biodiversity conservation across six project countries and strengthen climate resilience and institutional capacities among government agencies locally and regionally in protected areas management. The following environmental risks are identified across the project countries: (i) Generation of waste; (ii) Pollution risks (noise, dust, air, water, soil) associated with restoration works; (iii) Disruption to traffic and community safety during construction phases; (iv) Potential impacts on biodiversity and natural habitats, including disturbance or loss of flora and fauna; (v) Resource efficiency concerns, particularly regarding water and energy use in project activities; (vi) Risks of soil erosion, contamination, and vegetation loss during ecosystem interventions. The social risk is rated Moderate. The project involves technical assistance, capacity building, and governance strengthening in all six countries, and small-scale nature-based restoration pilots in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with no major civil works or physical displacement anticipated. While no direct access restrictions are anticipated from Technical Assistance (TA) under Component 1 and Subcomponent 2.1, activities including Natura 2000 site identification and restoration planning may facilitate the establishment of new protected areas or enforcement of protected area boundaries beyond the project lifecycle, which may result in downstream risks associated with access restrictions and potential exclusion of vulnerable groups and individuals from decision-making processes. Variable capacities across countries adds a layer of complexity that could affect risk management in the project.

Total Project Cost: US$ 8.22 million
Global Biodiversity Framework Fund: US$ 8.22 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Fisseha Tessema Abissa
Title: Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist
Email: fabissa@worldbank.org 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint