Introduction: The “Solar Schools for Green and Energy Transition in Western Balkans ” project aims to empower students and communities in the Western Balkans to embrace clean energy solutions and foster a new generation of environmental advocates. Led by the Friends of Korca Association and a network of nine partners from Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, the project supports renewable energy, energy literacy, and collaboration between schools and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Partnership & Network: The project builds on the success of the Western Balkans Solar-Net, established in 2022 with financial backing from the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). Through www.pw4wb.org, the network continues to expand, uniting stakeholders committed to advancing solar energy and green transition efforts. The new Network of Solar Schools will leverage expertise from schools, CSOs, business associations, and universities across the region, driving energy transition through photovoltaic solar panel installations.

Objectives: The project’s main goal is to foster cooperation among high schools, students, and CSOs in the Western Balkans, promoting solar energy solutions to combat climate change. Specific objectives include:

• Establishing the Western Balkans Solar School Network to raise awareness and equip young people to tackle climate change.
• Enhancing collaboration between high schools and CSOs to design and implement solar projects.
• Strengthening connections between students across the region through shared best practices in climate education.
• Engaging local governments, education agencies, and businesses to support the implementation of solar energy projects in schools.

Target Groups: The project targets CSOs, high schools, business associations, universities, and local governments, aiming to:

• Support schools in switching to solar energy.
• Equip students with energy literacy to drive regional cooperation.
• Raise awareness among local authorities about the need to support solar energy initiatives.

Key Activities:

• Kick-Off Meeting: A virtual meeting to clarify partner roles and project objectives.
• Webinars: Sessions to exchange best practices, assess the situation in participating schools, and prepare education content and Request for Proposals (RfP) for solar projects.
• School Meetings: Engagement with local stakeholders to design and present solar project proposals.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Raising awareness and securing commitments from local authorities and potential donors.
• Final Conference: A gathering at the University Fan S. Noli in Korca to present project results and recommendations.

Expected Results:

• Creation of the Solar School Network as a hub for best practices in the Western Balkans.
• Strengthened partnerships between schools, CSOs, and local governments.
• Development of solar project proposals for high schools.
• Active involvement of over 150 students in decarbonization and energy transition initiatives.