We are pleased to share the results of a study carried out by PPMI | Part of the Verian Group for the European Training Foundation (ETF) on the integration of education, skills, and employment policies into climate plans across 25 ETF partner countries in the EU Neighbourhood and Central Asia.
The study, conducted between April and November 2025 by a team of five experts, including two international thematic specialists and three in-country experts, assessed how well Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and equivalent UNFCCC frameworks incorporate human capital dimensions: employment, education and skills development, and social dialogue. Using a structured scoring framework, the team mapped climate targets and greenhouse gas reduction commitments, analysed priority sectors using public datasets, and identified gaps between NDC content and existing national workforce and employment strategies. The study also included in-depth case studies of Moldova and Serbia, combining desk research and semi-structured stakeholder interviews to examine barriers and enablers to integrating workforce strategies at the sector level.
The research resulted in two major reports providing country-specific evidence and strategic recommendations to support ETF partner countries in embedding human capital dimensions more systematically into their upcoming NDC 3.0 updates. The findings and recommendations are intended to strengthen inter-institutional collaboration in climate and workforce policymaking, and to advance ETF's position as a leading provider of evidence-based guidance on the human-centred green transition.
The main report is available on ETF's website:
ACCESS THE REPORT
A second report with specific findings focused on Serbia & Moldova report is also planned for publication soon.
