From 16 to 25 August 2025, the 20th International Summer School, entitled "Sustainable Energy and Environmental Policy in CEI Member States", was held in Čardaci, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event brought together students and young professionals from across the CEI region for an intensive training programme on energy transition and climate action, aiming to strengthen knowledge exchange and capacity-building on sustainable energy, climate policy and environmental governance, equipping future professionals with the skills needed to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy in CEI countries.
The ten-day programme combined lectures, workshops, group projects and study visits, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges. The sessions covered a range of topics relevant to the energy sector, including solar and wind energy development, small-scale project design, smart buildings, EU energy efficiency policies, citizen-led energy initiatives, carbon pricing mechanisms and the use of artificial intelligence in climate policy. Field visits to renewable energy and energy-efficient industrial facilities provided first-hand exposure to applied solutions.
A total of 16 participants from North Macedonia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Italy, Montenegro and Hungary successfully completed the programme. The Summer School concluded with group project presentations and a certificate awarding ceremony, highlighting participants' ability to translate policy concepts into concrete proposals.
“Scaling up renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy security is crucial. To achieve this, greater investment in renewables and energy-efficient solutions is needed.
The CEI plays an important role in coordinating regional cooperation to diversify energy supplies and mitigate vulnerabilities, serving as a platform for information exchange and for promoting regulatory frameworks that support renewable energy policies.”
By fostering regional dialogue, interdisciplinary learning and professional exchange, the 20th REIC International Summer School contributed to strengthening capacities, supporting cooperation and advancing knowledge transfer in the fields of sustainable energy and climate action across the CEI region.