South-Eastern Europe is a climatically diverse area and is known for its rich biodiversity, wetlands, coastal lagoons, mountains, karstic terrains and Mediterranean forests. Many shared natural resources throughout the region highlight the importance of cooperation in an area already feeling the impacts of climate change. Over the last 20 years, average temperatures have increased by 1.2° C, and heat waves, droughts, flood risks and wildfires have become more frequent.

The project aims to reduce climate change-related security risks by raising awareness, developing capacities, and sharing knowledge within and among all project regions (South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia). It also aims to do so through the implementation of climate change adaptation measures in the geographic areas that are most vulnerable to climate change. Involvement of local communities and women and youth participation are important components of the project.

Czechia was one of the first donor countries financially supporting implementation of the OSCE project in the South-Eastern Europe and continuously promotes this cooperation among other donors, OSCE and EU countries. Climate security in the neighbourhood including cooperation with the OSCE was also highlighted during Czech EU Presidency. In 2022, during 30th anniversary of the Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the OSCE Group of Friends of the Environment, organized a side-event on the topic "Security Implications of Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Contributions to the region’s climate resilience by the OSCE as well as by Czechia".

Additional contributors to OSCE Project on Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia include: Andorra, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Sweden, USA

Contact person and email:

Esra Buttanri: esra.buttanri@osce.org

Further reading:  

Ministr Lipavský zahájil 30. Ekonomické a environmentální fórum OBSE (only available in Czech)

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Photo 1 from the side event "Security Implications of Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Contributions to the region’s climate resilience by the OSCE as well as by Czechia" during the 30th anniversary of the Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague.

Photo 2 from the side event "Security Implications of Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Contributions to the region’s climate resilience by the OSCE as well as by Czechia" during the 30th anniversary of the Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague.

Photo 3 from the side event "Security Implications of Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Contributions to the region’s climate resilience by the OSCE as well as by Czechia" during the 30th anniversary of the Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague.