From 26 to 29 September 2026, Durrës, Albania became a meeting point for environmental cooperation across the Western Balkans.
A total of 27 participants representing environmental NGOs, youth organizations, grassroots initiatives, activists and public institutions came together for the regional conference “Let’s Clean the Western Balkans – A Regional Initiative for Environmental Action and Cooperation.”
For three days, the conference created a dynamic space for exchanging experiences, sharing local and national practices, discussing common environmental challenges and building new ideas for regional cooperation.
One of the strongest elements of the programme was the diversity of perspectives. Participants heard inspiring presentations from organizations and initiatives across the Western Balkans, sharing how they engage communities, mobilize volunteers, work with young people, cooperate with institutions and respond to environmental challenges in their own countries. The programme included experiences from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, showing that although the local context differs, many of the challenges — and many of the solutions — are shared.
A particularly important contribution came from the Municipality of Prishtina, through Leutrim Retkoceri, Director of Public Services, who presented the perspective of local government on World Cleanup Day and environmental cooperation with civil society. His presentation highlighted how municipalities can go beyond providing logistical support and become active partners by mobilizing public services, municipal companies, schools, institutions and local communities. This institutional perspective reinforced an important message of the conference: long-term environmental impact requires cooperation between citizens, civil society and public institutions.
The experience of Let’s Do It Kosovo provided another practical example of how sustained civic engagement can gradually become embedded in local structures. Over the years, cooperation with municipalities, institutions, businesses, media and volunteers has helped World Cleanup Day grow from a civic campaign into a wider platform for environmental action and community engagement.
A major focus of the second day was World Cleanup Day 2027. Participants worked in groups to develop possible national and regional approaches, identifying coordinators, partners, communication channels, volunteer networks, safety measures, logistics and ways to measure impact.
The workshop produced a wide range of ideas — from decentralized local coordination and stronger cooperation with municipalities, schools and businesses, to regional digital mapping, circular economy solutions and creative ways to ensure that cleaned areas stay clean.
A recurring message throughout the discussions was that a cleanup should never be seen as the final goal. Participants repeatedly returned to the question: What happens after the cleanup?
Ideas included transforming collected plastic into park furniture, creating recreational or sports activities in restored areas, introducing education before cleanup actions, improving recycling systems and developing stronger local ownership of public spaces. The discussions showed a clear shift from one-day cleanup actions toward long-term environmental change.
Let’s Do It World played an important role throughout the conference by providing international expertise, moderation and guidance. Its global experience helped connect local and regional discussions with the wider movement and encouraged participants to think beyond individual actions toward stronger, more sustainable cooperation.
The conference concluded with a joint cleanup action in the beach area of Golem, Durrës. After two days of presentations, workshops and planning, participants moved from discussion to action and worked together in the field. The cleanup became the first joint environmental activity of the group and a symbolic starting point for future cooperation.
The conference was implemented by Ta Pastrojmë Kosovën / Let’s Do It Kosovo, in partnership with Go Green North Macedonia and Green Line Albania, with the contribution and expertise of Let’s Do It World.
The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Western Balkans Fund under the EU/WBF Joint Action Phase III – Grants for Grassroots Initiatives.
The three days in Durrës showed that there is strong potential for deeper environmental cooperation across the Western Balkans. Participants left with new connections, practical ideas and a shared willingness to continue working together — not only toward a stronger World Cleanup Day 2027, but also toward new joint environmental initiatives across the region.
The conference may have ended, but the regional journey has only begun.
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