Gender-responsive Energy Transition and Workforce Empowerment in the Western Balkans

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Webinar Recording

Webinar Summary

On May 22, 2025, the GIZ regional project "Green Agenda: Decarbonization of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans" organized a webinar titled “Gender-responsive Energy Transition and Workforce Empowerment in the Western Balkans”. The session began with a brief welcome address by program manager Nicolas Heger. He set the stage by discussing gender imbalances in the region and emphasizing the importance of incorporating the human dimension into the energy transition to ensure that no one is left behind.

Following this introduction, Ana-Maria Boromisa presented the first regional study of its kind, "Labor Market Effect Analysis: Energy Transition and Jobs in the Western Balkans." She outlined the study's methodology and discussed key findings, such as job losses and creation. She highlighted challenges such as significant skill shortages and technical, financial, and regulatory barriers, stressing the need for supportive policies.

The second presentation, by Fiona Imami, addressed policy recommendations for a Just Green Transition in the Western Balkans, focusing on coal-dependent regions. After explaining theoretical concepts such as "transition," "sustainability," and "justice," the speaker analyzed gaps in current policies and structural barriers such as public perceptions and lack of trust. She concluded by advocating for integrated policy for integrated policy reforms, enhanced institutional capacities, and inclusive stakeholder participation to facilitate a just and effective green transition.

In the third presentation, Marta Schulte-Fischedick explored gender disparities during energy transitions and the systemic gender inequalities present in the energy sector of the Western Balkans. These inequalities were attributed to traditional gender norms, structural barriers, and policy gaps. The speaker emphasized the urgent need for gender-responsive programs, policies, and financing schemes in the energy sector. She also presented examples from various countries that support women and youth in acquiring green energy skills and jobs, as well as leadership positions.

During the subsequent panel discussion, two key steps for ensuring gender responsiveness and workforce empowerment in the Western Balkans were identified:

• First, cooperation across different stakeholders, such as ministries, vocational institutions, chambers of commerce, and energy actors, is necessary to identify different interests and potentials and to harmonize plans.

• Second, gender-responsive planning must be implemented at all levels, with gender and social equity serving as core components of the energy transition. Only by acknowledging and addressing how the burdens and benefits of the transition will be distributed can disparities be overcome.

Another significant issue that arose during the question-and-answer session was the lack of data and the necessity of data-driven decision-making policies, as well as data harmonization across the region. Ergi Bregasi from the GIZ project closed the session by announcing the publication of two policy briefs and a webinar on policy solution models that consider the needs of vulnerable groups and women in the workforce, as well as energy sector empowerment.

Study - Labor Market Effect Analysis

Labor Market Effect Analysis - Energy Transition and Jobs in the Western Balkans

This study aims to assess the labour market impacts of transitioning to a decarbonized electricity sector in the Western Balkans. It specifically focuses on:

• Estimating job losses from phasing out fossil fuels and assessing the potential for job creation in renewable energy.
• Identifying key skills required in the energy workforce and analyzing existing skill gaps.
• Examining macroeconomic key challenges and opportunities, and evaluating how well the supply of skilled professionals matches the evolving demand for skills in the renewable technology sector.

The report has been released by the ‘Green Agenda: Decarbonisation of the Electricity Sector in the Western Balkans’ project funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and implemented by GIZ.

Presentations

Labour market effects analysis (Ana-Maria Boromisa)

This presentation provides an overview on the “Labour market effects analysis” study, its methodology, key findings, and derived recommendations. It examines the labor market implications of transitioning from coal-based energy to renewable energy sources in the Western Balkans by quantifying potential job losses in the coal sector, estimating job creation in renewables, and identifying skill gaps hindering the energy transition. Key findings indicate that approximately 41,510 coal-related jobs are at risk, while renewable energy sectors could generate between 27,000 to 29,960 direct jobs by 2030, expanding to over 51,000 when including indirect employment. The presentation underscores significant skill shortages, and highlights technical, financial, and regulatory barriers impeding rapid decarbonization. The presentation also emphasizes the necessity for targeted workforce development and supportive policies to facilitate a just and effective energy transition in the region.

Policy solutions for coal mine regions in the Western Balkans under the Just Transition framework (Fiona Imami)

The presentation addresses policy recommendations for a Just Green Transition in the Western Balkans, focusing on coal-dependent regions. It highlights the region's heavy reliance on coal and underscores the urgency of transitioning to sustainable energy sources to mitigate environmental risks and align with EU climate goals. It also unfolds theoretical concepts such as “transition”, “sustainability”, and “justice”. Based on the examination of frameworks like the Sofia 2020 Green Agenda and the 2021–2030 Action Plan, the presentation identifies gaps in current policies, such as the lack of comprehensive impact assessments and stakeholder engagement. Key findings reveal that while commitments exist, practical implementation is hindered by insufficient legislation, investment, and public awareness. Perceptions and lacking trust are further structural barriers to transition. The presentation advocates for integrated policy reforms, enhanced institutional capacities, and inclusive stakeholder participation to facilitate a just and effective green transition.

Gender disparities during the energy transitions (Marta Schulte-Fischedick)

This presentation explores the systemic gender inequalities present in the energy sector of the Western Balkans and proposes strategies to address them. The analysis of gender disparities in the region reveals that women are significantly underrepresented in technical roles, receive lower pay, and are disproportionately affected by energy poverty. These disparities are attributed to factors such as traditional gender norms, structural barriers, and policy gaps. To overcome these inequalities, there is an urgent need for gender-responsive programs, policies and financing schemes in the energy sector. The presentation then outlines ways to integrate gender perspectives into energy policies, such as implementing targeted programs to support women's participation in the energy workforce. Examples from different countries include activities to enhance women’s leadership, measures to support women entrepreneurs in the energy transition and projects and campaigns to support and motivate youth for green energy skills and jobs.

Speakers

Ana-Maria Boromisa, GIZ-contracted expert, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO)

Ana-Maria Boromisa is head of the Department for International Economic and Political Relations at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) in Zagreb, where she has worked since 1996. Her research focuses on energy policy, climate change and socio-economic impacts of the transition towards climate neutrality. Within these fields, she leads national and international projects, publishes scholarly papers, and regularly presents her work at conferences and academic forums. In addition to her academic and research activities, Dr. Boromisa has served as a Commissioner in the Croatian Energy Regulatory Council from 2001 to 2005, member of the IRMO management board from 2006 to 2012, and chaired IRMO Scientific Council from 2013 to 2017.

Fiona Imami, Co-Plan, Senior Regional Researcher on Just Green Transition

Fiona Imami is a regional development and planning expert with a decade of professional experience in territorial governance and strategic programming. She holds a doctoral degree from the International Doctorate in Architecture and Urban Planning (IDAUP) program, jointly offered by POLIS University and the University of Ferrara. Over the past four years, Fiona has served as coordinator of the GreenFORCE Horizon Europe project, which focuses on providing research excellence and bridging the gap with policymaking to support just and green transitions across the Western Balkans. Her research focuses on spatial planning, energy transition, and regional development through the lens of social and environmental justice.

Marta Schulte-Fischedick, Energy Community Secretariat, Energy Consultant, Decarbonisation and Just Energy Transition

Marta Schulte-Fischedick works in the Green Deal Unit at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna. In her role she is focusing on fostering Just Energy Transition goals across energy and climate policies in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. Her responsibilities include work on energy poverty, gender equality, coal regions in transition, and the EU Equality Platform. Marta also promotes journalist and youth engagement in the Energy Community’s work. She brings a scientific background and extensive experience in international development within the energy sector.