Strengthening Climate Action in the Eastern Partnership Countries
EU4ClimateResilience promotes stronger climate policies and institutions, powering the development of impactful NDCs.
Commissioned through the IKI-funded project PROGRESS, EU4ClimateResilience is working to strengthen the capacities of Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – to turn climate commitments into tangible actions. Co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), the project supports partner countries, for example, in developing and updating their NDCs, conducting climate risk assessments, formulating sectoral policies and designing actionable adaptation roadmaps.
Through targeted technical assistance, policy advice, inclusive stakeholder engagement and analytical work, the project is helping partner countries to shape resilient, transparent and forward-looking climate policies by developing and operationalising NDCs. This integrated approach provides partner countries with the necessary tools, data and know-how to plan, finance and implement ambitious climate action across sectors, while strengthening adaptation and resilience efforts at regional, national and local levels.
First Year of Implementation
In its first implementation year, EU4ClimateResilience laid critical groundwork to advance NDC implementation, strengthen institutional frameworks and improve transparency across the EaP countries.
Armenia
While concrete activities are yet to be launched, the project aligns with Armenia’s 2021-2030 NDC goals, aiming to identify areas for technical assistance and capacity building to support climate policy implementation and institutional readiness.
Azerbaijan
The project supports the implementation of Azerbaijan’s NDCs by enhancing institutional and technical capacities through targeted analysis and knowledge exchange. Key activities include strengthening transparency and reporting systems, facilitating stakeholder dialogue and contributing to national climate planning processes.
Georgia
The project contributes to climate governance efforts, including technical assistance for the Climate Strategy and Action Plan and support for monitoring and reporting systems. A dedicated workshop promoted inter-agency coordination for monitoring and reporting under the NDC implementation, although related activities are currently on hold due to political developments.
Moldova
The project contributed to Moldova’s NDC stocktaking and roadmap development for 2035-NDC submitted in March 2025. The updated NDC commits to reducing GHG emissions by 71–73% up to 2030 and 75–78% up to 2035.
Ukraine
Recognising the challenges posed by war and climate change, the project provided analytical inputs on a just transition and adaptation for Ukraine’s second NDC. It co-organised “Ukraine’s Second NDC Amid Current Challenges” event to launch stakeholder dialogue and support transparent, inclusive target-setting.
These efforts are closely connected to the project's support for developing robust MRV systems and contribute to aligning national climate action with the EU acquis and bilateral climate agreements.
Next Steps in Project Implementation regarding NDCs
EU4ClimateResilience will continue to tailor its support to the evolving climate policy needs of partners. In Armenia, future support will align with the development of 2035-NDC, focusing on sustainable mobility, Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU)-related adaptation actions, wastewater treatment, wetlands restoration and environmental education.
In Azerbaijan, the project will develop tailored policy recommendations, including for a Climate Change Law/Code, and deliver capacity-building measures and technical support to institutions involved in adaptation planning.
Georgia is exploring collaboration with civil society and academic institutions to improve sectoral data collection and thematic databases, indirectly supporting the NDC implementation process. In Moldova, work will concentrate on developing an LT-LEDS and strengthening institutional capacities through targeted training sessions.
In Ukraine, while no further support is currently planned regarding NDC development and operationalisation, the project’s early analytical contributions and stakeholder engagement have laid the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient NDC process.
Despite solid progress in its first year, the project also faces several challenges, including complex policy environments, limited technical capacity, political uncertainty and insufficient institutional coordination. These factors slow the pace and limit the scope of climate action, making sustained planning and stakeholder engagement critical for progress. As the project advances, it will prioritise consolidating achievements, strengthening cross-sector and cross-border collaboration and supporting partner countries in turning climate ambition into concrete action.
This article has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). Its content is the sole responsibility of GIZ Tbilisi and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or BMUKN.
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The IKI strategy
The IKI aims to achieve maximum impact for the protection of the climate and biodiversity. To this end, it concentrates its funding activities on prioritised fields of action within the four funding areas. Another key element is close cooperation with selected partner countries, in particular with the IKI's priority countries.
