Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest)

Serbia is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the Balkan region. Climate change impacts such as rising temperatures, heatwaves, and climatic hazards are degrading Serbia's forests, compounded by unsustainable fuelwood extraction and outdated forest management practices. These challenges undermine adaptation and mitigation efforts, exacerbate poverty, and heighten energy insecurity, particularly for rural households reliant on fuelwood for heating. Addressing these issues is critical to achieving Serbia’s low-carbon development and climate resilience goals. This project will promote sustainable, climate-adaptive forestry by fostering public-private collaboration, strengthening forest governance, and supporting vulnerable communities. Climate-sensitive investments will enhance forest ecosystems, bolster energy security, and reduce carbon emissions, enabling Serbia to achieve its adaptation and mitigation goals while ensuring low-carbon development and resilient livelihoods. It will also facilitate private sector engagement and finance in adaptation and mitigation investments. Key activities include increasing Serbia's capacity to manage forests sustainably with an emphasis on forest monitoring, carbon finance, and biomass energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and livelihoods by fostering climate-resilient forestry practices that increase carbon sinks and decarbonisation opportunities; and mobilising private sector investments to promote climate-adaptive forestry and decarbonisation strategies.