Final Report Summary - PRO-BIOBALKAN (Promotion of cost competitive biomass technologies in the western Balkan countries)
The PRO-BIOBALKAN project aimed to organise conferences that would help describe, compare and evaluate new and innovative technologies which would promote the use of sustainable energy with a potential to maximise regional productivity in the western Balkan countries.
Particular focus was given on biomass, which could motivate economic growth and enhance productivity, thus enabling agriculture and forestry to utilise their alternative resources. Moreover, the industrial sector could benefit from self-sufficiency and elimination of the poor practices of wasteful and environmentally harmful, as well as economically disadvantageous, disposal. Finally, the project helped to create new investment opportunities for the European Union and national businesses, as well as new options for a more independent, sustainable and decentralised energy market in the countries of interest.
Two conferences were organised, in Beograd, Serbia, and Zagreb, Croatia, which were attended by approximately 60 and 110 people respectively. The target audience included academic researchers, representatives from the industry, environmental organisations, regulatory officials, policy makers and any other third parties that were interested in the events. A project website was also launched and regularly updated, providing information on the developed technology and the organised conferences. In addition, a sectoral study was conducted based on information that was collected through a survey among persons operating actively in the biomass field. The study highlighted the existing conditions in the western Balkans and identified the opportunities for progress and future development.
PRO-BIOBALKAN enhanced networking activities and increased collaboration and joint efforts between the involved countries. Traditional methods of awareness rising, such as publications and documents' preparation, were combined with the utilisation of state of the art internet technology, media briefings and public announcements to ensure the maximum possible dissemination of the project findings.
Particular focus was given on biomass, which could motivate economic growth and enhance productivity, thus enabling agriculture and forestry to utilise their alternative resources. Moreover, the industrial sector could benefit from self-sufficiency and elimination of the poor practices of wasteful and environmentally harmful, as well as economically disadvantageous, disposal. Finally, the project helped to create new investment opportunities for the European Union and national businesses, as well as new options for a more independent, sustainable and decentralised energy market in the countries of interest.
Two conferences were organised, in Beograd, Serbia, and Zagreb, Croatia, which were attended by approximately 60 and 110 people respectively. The target audience included academic researchers, representatives from the industry, environmental organisations, regulatory officials, policy makers and any other third parties that were interested in the events. A project website was also launched and regularly updated, providing information on the developed technology and the organised conferences. In addition, a sectoral study was conducted based on information that was collected through a survey among persons operating actively in the biomass field. The study highlighted the existing conditions in the western Balkans and identified the opportunities for progress and future development.
PRO-BIOBALKAN enhanced networking activities and increased collaboration and joint efforts between the involved countries. Traditional methods of awareness rising, such as publications and documents' preparation, were combined with the utilisation of state of the art internet technology, media briefings and public announcements to ensure the maximum possible dissemination of the project findings.