CARI workshop empowers municipalities across the Western Balkans to tackle air pollution

A technical hybrid workshop organised by the Energy Community Secretariat and hosted by the City of Tuzla took place on 25 February, bringing together 40 participants under the Clean Air Regions Initiative (CARI). The initiative focuses on improving local air quality across the Western Balkans to tackle pressing environmental and health challenges.

In 2024, five municipalities - Banovići, Lukavac, Maglaj, and Tuzla from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Pirot from Serbia - successfully deployed smart sensors that now provide real-time data on particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10). These sensors complement official monitoring stations by mapping local air pollution variations, helping municipalities better understand and quantify their specific pollution patterns.

The workshop focused on how to process the data from these smart sensors and use it to develop targeted actions for addressing local air pollution. It included representatives from CARI municipalities (Tuzla, Lukavac, and Pljevlja), air pollution and heating experts, and Airly, the smart sensor supplier. It also saw strong online participation from other CARI municipalities (Kakanj, Živinice, Podgorica, Novi Sad, and Pirot) and additional experts.

Zijad Lugavic, the Mayor of Tuzla said:

“We are excited about this workshop which equips us with the tools needed to effectively analise the data we are gathering through these smart sensors. Understanding this data is crucial as we remain committed to taking ambitious actions. As a proud founding member of CARI, the City of Tuzla is driven to lead the way in environmental progress.”

Peter Vajda, Senior Environmental Expert of the Secretariat said:

“The data from these sensors will give municipalities a clearer understanding of local air pollution, enabling them to take more effective measures, particularly in addressing issues related to the domestic heating and local transport.”

The sensors were deployed with the support of the European Climate Foundation.

The initiative is open-ended, free of charge and municipalities that identify with its goals have the possibility to join upon their own motion.