Marjan Nikolov
Articles
Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia
Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49, pp. 1 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Abstract
In order to limit the increase of temperature to 1.5oC and below 2oC above pre-industrial levelsthe Western Balkan countries and the European Union, following the Paris Agreement, adopted the 2050decarbonization goal. The green transition approach in North Macedonia remains a top-down processand poses challenges on implementing a just transition that embeds place-based policies. The communicationamong central and local government levels and stakeholders remain vague, opening the researchquestion about the proper mix of just transition, participation, legislation adoption and the quality of policymaking and governance configuration that should be able to serve spatial and social justice to be ableto implement a place-based governance framework. We use targeted survey to assess the green transitionpolicy of the government of North Macedonia if it is just and if it respects the place-based approach.The results suggest that the place-based approach is weakly implemented, decisions remain centralizedand following the top-down logic undermining local participation. We recommend further, more detailedanalyses of the place-based transition and decentralization efficiency with focus on local government barriersto more just green transition.
Keywords: just transition, place-based approach, spatial/social justice, governance, Green Deal, climate change
[info@cea.org], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
[info@cea.org.mk], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
[info@cea.org.mk], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
Citation
APA: Nikolov, M., Petrovska, A., & Mitevski, I. (2025). Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia. Europa XXI, 49, 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
MLA: Nikolov, Marjan, et al. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Chicago: Nikolov, Marjan, Petrovska, Ana Marija, and Mitevski, Igor. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Harvard: Nikolov, M., Petrovska, A., & Mitevski, I. 2025. "Challenges and opportunities for a just green transition in North Macedonia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 1. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.1
Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidences from the Western Balkans
Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49, pp. 10
[giancarlo.cotella@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy
[anila_gjika@co-plan.org], Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development Polis University, Department of Urban Planning and Environment
[erblin.berisha@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy
[info@cea.org], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
[vladimir.popovic@gef.bg.ac.rs], Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
[zora.zivanovic@gef.bg.ac.rs], Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
Citation
APA: Cotella, G., Bejko, A., Berisha, E., Nikolov, M., Popović, V., & Živanović, Z. (2025). Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidences from the Western Balkans. Europa XXI, 49, 10. https://doi.org/
MLA: Cotella, Giancarlo, et al. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidences from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 10. https://doi.org/
Chicago: Cotella, Giancarlo, Bejko, Anila, Berisha, Erblin, Nikolov, Marjan, Popović, Vladimir, and Živanović, Zora. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidences from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 10. https://doi.org/
Harvard: Cotella, G., Bejko, A., Berisha, E., Nikolov, M., Popović, V., & Živanović, Z. 2025. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidences from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 10. https://doi.org/
Preface
Editorial: Unfolding Just Green Transitions in the Western Balkan Region
Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49, pp. 12
Keywords: cooperation, cross-border, transnational, Adriatic Ionian region, actor-network analyses
[giancarlo.cotella@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy
[info@cea.org], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
[merita_toska@universitetipolis.edu.al], Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development
[zora.zivanovic@gef.bg.ac.rs], Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
Citation
APA: Cotella, G., Nikolov, M., Toska, M., & Živanović, Z. (2025). Editorial: Unfolding Just Green Transitions in the Western Balkan Region. Europa XXI, 49, 12. https://doi.org/
MLA: Cotella, Giancarlo, et al. "Editorial: Unfolding Just Green Transitions in the Western Balkan Region". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 12. https://doi.org/
Chicago: Cotella, Giancarlo, Nikolov, Marjan, Toska, Merita, and Živanović, Zora. "Editorial: Unfolding Just Green Transitions in the Western Balkan Region". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 12. https://doi.org/
Harvard: Cotella, G., Nikolov, M., Toska, M., & Živanović, Z. 2025. "Editorial: Unfolding Just Green Transitions in the Western Balkan Region". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 12. https://doi.org/