Search Results (677)

This study assesses the quality of local public administration in European cities using an analytical algorithm based on the B-TOPSIS approach. It draws on the Quality of Life in European Cities survey, which includes five questions on citizens’ satisfaction with local administration, rated on a simplified four-point verbal scale with an option to skip. To process this type of group data, the study extends B-TOPSIS to handle ordinal scales, uncertainty, and missing responses. The method is applied to data from 2023 and compared with 2019 to detect temporal changes in satisfaction. The framework compensates for incomplete information, integrates a Monte Carlo-based protocol for robust results, enhances the ranking through almost first-order stochastic dominance, and supports cross-survey comparison. The results show that Zurich, Luxembourg, and Antalya rank highest in satisfaction, while Rome and Palermo rank lowest. Residents of medium-sized and very large cities report higher satisfaction, with EU and EFTA cities outperforming those in the Western Balkans. Overall, satisfaction levels have remained stable since 2019. These findings offer both methodological contributions and practical insights into governance quality and sustainability, constructing a unified performance index from dispersed survey responses. Full article

Weeds are among the primary constraints reducing soybean productivity, and their effective control is especially important in edamame, a vegetable soybean valued for its nutritional potential. As chemical control remains the dominant strategy, rational herbicide use is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the response of two edamame varieties (Chiba Green and Midori Giant) and the effectiveness of applied herbicides in weed control during the 2022–2024 growing seasons. Treatments included the following: pre-emergence herbicides (S-metolachlor + metribuzin) (H1); pre- (S-metolachlor + metribuzin) and post-emergence herbicides (imazamox + cycloxydim) (H2); and an untreated control (H0). The growing season influenced pod yield and biomass, with the highest yield recorded in 2022 (11.7 t ha⁻¹), while variety affected only pod yield: on average, Midori Giant outperformed Chiba Green (10.6 vs. 6.1 t ha⁻¹). Herbicide treatment affected weed dry biomass (3.3 g m⁻² in H2 compared to 341.8 g m⁻² in H0) and pod yield (4.3 t ha⁻¹ in H0 for Chiba Green compared to 11.9 t ha⁻¹ in H2 for Midori Giant). The results indicate that pre-emergence herbicides could satisfactorily reduce weed infestation under suitable meteorological conditions. The combined application of pre- and post-emergence herbicides increases production security (particularly in seasons with higher weed infestation), likely by extending the weed control period through pre- and post-emergence herbicide combinations, targeting different weed species during the soybean vegetative period. In addition, weed diversity was associated with a yield increase in Midori Giant. This research provides practical information and options for weed management in edamame production in the Western Balkan region. Full article

Ethno-tourism is increasingly recognized as a driver of rural development and cultural preservation, particularly in the Balkans, where ethno-villages represent important centers of heritage, identity, and community revitalization. Despite its significance, the systematic assessment of sustainability in ethno-tourism remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the sustainability performance of thirteen ethno-villages across Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. Data were collected through interviews with owners and managers, complemented by benchmarking and SWOT analyses, to develop a multi-criteria model incorporating five dimensions: economic performance, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and management, tourism attractiveness, and socio-cultural aspects. The results highlight economic performance as the most influential factor, followed by environmental sustainability and infrastructure, while tourism attractiveness and socio-cultural aspects had relatively lower importance. The ranking of villages revealed Drvengrad Mećavnik (Serbia) as the most sustainable destination, with robustness confirmed through sensitivity analyses. This study represents one of the first comprehensive, multi-criteria evaluations of ethno-village sustainability in the Balkans. The results demonstrate that long-term success depends on balancing financial viability with ecological practices, infrastructural investment, and cultural preservation. This research provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders, and highlights the value of multi-criteria approaches for sustainable tourism planning. Full article

Energy efficiency presents significant potential, especially for Western Balkan (WB) countries, if effectively addressed through energy efficiency measures. The building sector, which includes residential, commercial, and public buildings, is the most energy-intensive sector globally. Public buildings in the Western Balkan countries are characterized by poor energy efficiency performance. The average energy consumption in public buildings is anticipated to exceed double the European Union (EU) requirement, given that more than 60-70% of these structures were built over 60 years ago with no regard for energy efficiency. This study assesses the Public Building–Energy Efficiency Readiness Index (PB-EERI) to evaluate how legislative specificity, institutional capacity, financing mechanisms, renovation guidelines, energy market conditions, and societal awareness collectively influence the readiness of Western Balkan economies to enhance energy efficiency in public buildings. The index serves as an operational diagnostic to identify the presence of enabling conditions, determine the most significant gaps, and prioritize policy efforts accordingly. This study presents a novel approach by integrating, within a single transparent index, (i) the existence of energy laws, (ii) market feasibility, (iii) renovation needs of public buildings, and (iv) societal awareness. The awareness pillar is both central and novel. By utilizing harmonized Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) data, this article quantifies societal awareness, thereby ensuring that the index accurately reflects the importance of stakeholder comprehension in the success of renovating initiatives for public buildings. The theoretical framework derives from the application of composite indicators in numerous studies and reports to illustrate the status of energy or energy efficiency. The methodology for developing this indicator is derived from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Handbook on Constructing Composite Indicators. For the aggregation method, the summation of weighted and normalized sub-indicators was used. The PB-EERI reveals considerable regional variations, with total scores ranging from around 39 to 72% and concentrating around the mid-0.5s. The findings reveal systematic differences in most indicators’ performance. The legal framework indicator significantly influences variation between countries, together with market conditions and societal awareness. Energy efficiency in public buildings, praised as the “first fuel”, should be prioritized beyond mere compliance with EU regulations. The PB-EERI emphasizes that success relies more on the capacity to transform formal strategies into concrete renovation programs, quantifiable objectives, and higher awareness of society to ensure uptake of the renovation measures. Full article

Remote sensing has emerged as an essential method for geological mapping, especially in complex environments such as the Mediterranean region. While earlier global reviews have been focused either on multi- and hyperspectral sensors in general for geological applications or on hyperspectral sensors using machine learning for lithological mapping and mineral prospecting, this review article provides the first regionally focused synthesis dedicated to the Mediterranean region. The review examines both passive sensors such as Sentinel-2 MSI, Landsat-8 (OLI), ASTER, MODIS, Hyperion, PRISMA, EnMAP, and active sensors such as Sentinel-1, ALOS, TerraSAR-X. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the sensor functionalities, the data integration within Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms and methodological advancements such as machine learning and multi-sensor fusion. A total of 42 case studies are assessed, covering Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. These examples highlight how remote sensing techniques have been adapted to varying lithological, tectonic and geomorphological settings across the Mediterranean. The analysis identifies key methodological trends, including the transition from spectral indices to advanced data fusion, the growing reliance on open-access available multispectral archives, and the emerging role of new-generation hyperspectral missions (PRISMA, EnMAP) in high-resolution geological mapping. The findings illustrate the non-invasive and scalable advantages of remote sensing for geological mapping in complex terrains, while also noting current challenges such as atmospheric correction, spatial resolution mismatches, and field validation requirements. By combining region-specific applications, this review demonstrates how remote sensing contributes not only to fundamental geological understanding but also to sustainable resource management and mineral exploration within one of the world’s most geologically diverse regions. Full article

Due to global warming and intensified anthropogenic impacts, mountainous areas are increasingly being colonised by alien plant species. The diversity patterns of these species have not been sufficiently studied in the Central Balkans. The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence and richness of alien plant species in relation to habitat type and geological substrates, and to identify the factors with the greatest influence on the composition and abundance of these species on Zlatibor Mountain (Central Balkans). This area is known as an important tourist centre and a large mountainous massif in Serbia. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and distance-based Redundancy Analysis (db-RDA) were employed to examine the influence of environmental factors on the abundance and composition of 18 alien plant taxa. Data on altitude, habitat type, bedrock type, bioclimatic variables, and indicator values (light regime, soil moisture, acidity, nitrogen and temperature) of dominant plant species within the habitats were used as explanatory variables. Erigeron annuus, Reynoutria × bohemica, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Erigeron canadensis were the most common alien taxa and had the highest abundances. Residential and tourist facilities and the peripheries of asphalt roads are the habitat types where most alien species occur, while the lowest number of species was found in natural and semi-natural herbaceous habitats. Most taxa were found on serpentine substrates, while the number of taxa was lower on siliceous and carbonate substrates. This study emphasises the predominant role of habitat type in the partitioning of ecological niches of alien plant species. Furthermore, habitat type has a much greater influence on species composition and abundance than climatic factors and bedrock type, suggesting that the diversity pattern of alien plant species is related to the type and intensity of anthropogenic influences. Our results provide a useful basis for developing effective strategies to protect native habitats from invasion by alien plants. Full article

This study investigates factors influencing migrants’ decisions to enter Europe via Bulgaria or Greece along the Balkan route, using logistic regression and machine learning models on data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Flow Monitoring Survey (August 2022–June 2025, $n=5536$). We examine demographic variables (age), push factors (economic reasons, war/conflict, personal violence, limited access to services, and avoiding military service), and governance clusters derived from the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGIs). An adapted migration gravity model incorporates corruption control as a key push–pull factor. Key findings indicate that younger migrants are significantly more likely to choose Bulgaria ($\beta \approx -0.021$, $p<0.001$), and governance clusters show that migrants from high-corruption origins (e.g., Syria and Afghanistan) prefer Bulgaria, likely due to governance similarities and facilitation costs. The Cluster Model achieves a slight improvement in fit (McFadden’s $R^2=0.008$, AIC = 7367) compared to the Base (AIC = 7374) and Interaction (AIC = 7391) models. Machine learning extensions using LASSO and Random Forests on a subset of data ($n=4429$) yield similar moderate performance (AUC: LASSO = 0.524, RF = 0.515). These insights highlight corruption’s role in route selection, offering policy recommendations for origin, transit, and destination phases. Full article

This paper assesses the correlates of perceived well-being among young women aged 18 to 30 in five Balkan cities: Athens, Greece; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Bucharest, Romania; Nis, Serbia; and Shtip, North Macedonia, by integrating urban, travel behavioural, and socio-economic features. A cross-sectional survey was employed using standard questionnaires including the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the adapted ALPHA environmental questionnaire. To answer research questions, linear regression models were developed to analyse predictors of well-being at both regional and national levels. Results show that neighbourhood and mobility features play a significant role in shaping mental well-being. Access to walkable sidewalks, green spaces, mixed land-use structure, and attractive local facilities (e.g., shops, recreational centres in the neighbourhood) were consistently associated with higher levels of well-being. Conversely, perceived insecurity, especially at night or regarding bicycle theft, significantly reduced well-being. Physical activity levels, particularly days of walking and vigorous activity, showed strong positive associations, underscoring the role of active lifestyles in promoting mental health. Socio-economic variables, including financial status, relationship status, and work status, were also found to be linked to perceived well-being. Cycling-related variables may affect Greek well-being up to 16.5 times. Perception of crime during the night may negatively affect both Bulgarian and Serbian well-being (up to 10 times), while Romanian well-being is mostly affected by the existence of shopping facilities. Finally, the most impactful factors for well-being in North Macedonia refer to cycling safety and scooter accessibility. Full article

Background: Albania is undergoing rapid nutrition transition, yet cardiometabolic (CM) risk in young adults is poorly characterized. We report baseline, cross-sectional findings from a WHO-aligned sentinel study examining diet, physical activity and early CM phenotypes, with fat quality examined as a modifiable exposure. Methods: Young adults recruited on campus (n = 262; median age, 21 years; 172 women, 90 men) underwent standardized anthropometry, seated blood pressure (BP) and fasting glucose (FG). Diet was assessed by two interviewer-administered 24 h recalls and activity outlined by the IPAQ-short form. We derived potential renal acid load (PRAL) and a MASLD-oriented nutrient score, computed a composite CM risk score (cCMRS: sex-standardized mean of WHtR, mean arterial pressure, FG) and fitted prespecified energy-partition models for isocaloric +5% of energy substitutions (SFA → PUFA; SFA → MUFA) with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) control. Results: Despite normal average BMI (23.4), risk clustering was common: elevated BP in 63% of men and 30% of women, impaired FG (100–125 mg/dL) in almost one third and central adiposity (WHtR ≥ 0.5) in 51% of men and 24% of women. Diets were SFA-rich (~17–19%E), sodium-dense and low in fiber and several micronutrients (e.g., vitamin D, folate, potassium). In isocaloric models, SFA → PUFA was associated with more favorable nutrient signatures: MASLD-oriented score −28% (p < 0.001; FDR-significant) and PRAL −33% (p = 0.007; FDR-borderline/suggestive). Conclusions: A waist-centric CM subphenotype—central adiposity co-occurring with upward BP shifts and intermittent dysglycemia—was detectable in young adults despite normal average BMI, against a background of poor diet quality and low activity. These baseline surveillance signals are not causal effects. Integration into routine with WHO-aligned NCD surveillance is feasible. Prospective follow-up (biomarker calibration, device-based activity, repeated waves) will refine inferences and inform scalable proactive prevention. Full article

Scrophularia aestivalis Griseb. is a Balkan endemic species whose phytochemical composition and medicinal properties have not been previously investigated. The therapeutic potential of Scrophularia species has attracted considerable attention, resulting in extensive studies on their chemical and pharmacological properties, with over 200 secondary metabolites identified to date. The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical composition of Bulgarian-origin S. aestivalis, including isolation and characterization of individual secondary metabolites. From methanol extract of the plant’s aerial parts, aucubin, harpagide, 8-O-acetylharpagide, cis- and trans-harpagoside, 6-O-methyl catalpol, acylated derivatives of catalpol, and linarin were isolated and identified. The anti-obesity activity of the extract and primary fractions was evaluated in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of obesity. Significant lipid-reducing activity was demonstrated in four fractions, indicating promising anti-obesogenic properties. Following chemical profiling and quantitative analysis, the main components of the most active fractions were identified, namely the cis- and trans-harpagoside isomers. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that treatment with harpagoside reduced lipid accumulation and improved mitochondrial function in glucose-supplemented worms, with the data suggesting potential involvement of the SKN-1 signaling pathway. Full article

The Mystras UNESCO World Heritage Site (MUWHS) is a medieval historical area located on a small hill facing Sparta in the Mediterranean hotspot of the Peloponnese and receives a high number of visitors annually. The main aim of this study is the inventory and analysis of plant species composition and diversity of the Mystras archaeological area, with emphasis on different aspects of its flora, on the specialist endemic plants, and on the generalist ruderal and alien taxa. A high plant species richness was observed, and 321 vascular plant taxa were registered. Most of the taxa are Mediterranean or have a more widespread distribution, and half of them are ruderals. Concerning endemism, 14 Greek and 7 Balkan endemic taxa were registered. As anticipated, the most species-rich plant families recorded in the study area are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae. The total flora is predominantly composed of therophytes, reflecting the site’s Mediterranean climate and disturbance-adapted ecological conditions while the endemic flora is mostly composed of hemicryptophytes. Comparisons of MUWHS plant diversity with four other archaeological sites of the same floristic region of Greece, the Peloponnese, highlighted its high α-diversity on all aspects of its flora and its floristic dissimilarity from the other areas and, additionally, the high plant species richness that is comprised in all five of them. Comparisons of the flora of MUWHS with other Greek and Mediterranean archaeological areas showed significant similarities in the floristic elements considered as deteriogenic for the protected walls and monuments. The findings of our study underscore the urgent need to prioritise the sustainable conservation of archaeological sites such as Mystras. These landscapes are not only cultural monuments but also reservoirs of biodiversity and ecological value. Effective management must, therefore, adopt an integrated approach that balances the preservation of historical structures with the protection of native flora and ecological processes. Full article

Rural areas across Europe, particularly in the Balkans, are confronting a challenging and uneven negative transformation, marked by depopulation, economic stagnation and the degradation of their vernacular heritage. Assessing the unique dynamics and historical reality of these settlements proves difficult because conventional sustainability assessment systems are typically urban-focused and static. To address the methodological shortfall, this research introduces the Living Palimpsest Profile (LPP), a novel framework that conceptualizes rural settlements as layered landscapes in which time is treated as an endogenous variable in the sustainability equation. Employing the palimpsest metaphor, the LPP integrates a rigorous qualitative assessment, validated through convergent verification, with a hierarchical Framework of Visions. The framework was applied successfully to two Balkan case studies, demonstrating capacity to capture local specificity and inform contextual policy segmentation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given its significant transferability to other heritage-rich regions, the LPP is positioned as an essential methodological solution for the sustainable development of vernacular settlements worldwide. Full article

Sideritis scardica Griseb., a Balkan endemic species traditionally used for respiratory conditions and wound-healing, was investigated for its 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibitory and cytotoxic activities in relation to its phenolic composition. Aerial parts from the wild-collected and in vitro-cultivated plant were successively extracted with hexane, chloroform, and methanol and the methanol extract was further fractionated into ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions. This study presents the first combined evaluation of LOX inhibition and cytotoxicity against prostate cell lines WPMY-1 (normal epithelial fibroblast/myofibroblast), PC-3 (epithelial adenocarcinoma, Grade IV), and LNCaP (epithelial carcinoma) and detailed phytochemical profiles of wild-collected and in vitro-cultivated S. scardica. The phytochemical analysis revealed distinct profiles: increased LOX-inhibition activity was related to a higher phenylethanoid/flavone glycoside ratio, while PC cytotoxicity was rather related to flavone glycoside domination in the plant preparations. The cytotoxic effect of the in vitro-obtained preparations was characterized by a marked selectivity when comparing their effects on WPMY-1, PC-3 and LNCaP cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report linking phenylethanoid/flavone glycoside profiles of in situ and in vitro S. scardica plants with dual LOX-inhibitory and anti-prostate cancer activities, supporting the plant’s potential as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. Full article

Public concern about environmental issues has led to growing interest in sustainability across various sectors, including entrepreneurship. However, beyond the concern for environmental protection and the presseration of natural resources for future generations, additional conditions are necessary to foster the development of sustainable entrepreneurship. While developed countries provide examples and evidence of the successful implementation of this concept, its application in developing countries presents challenges due to a range of limiting factors. In addition to essential financial support, the literature often highlights the lack and/or complexity of sustainability reporting, the absence of standards and clearly defined sustainability metrics, insufficient regulation, and the lack of support from higher education institutions as barriers to the transition toward sustainable entrepreneurship. This paper aims to examine the feasibility of applying the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship in Western Balkan countries, taking into account the aforementioned constraints. For the purpose of the empirical research, potential limitations were evaluated by managers and business owners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The results of the study answer the question of whether developing countries have the potential to foster sustainable entrepreneurship, given the analyzed constraints, or whether the implementation of this concept is reserved solely for large enterprises and economically advanced countries. Full article

As a contribution to our understanding of postglacial colonisation history of Anatolia, the Caucasus and the Middle East, we increased the existing phylogeographic coverage of the widespread Balkan short-tailed mouse Mus macedonicus. This added 92 new mitochondrial D-loop sequences (73 new haplotypes) from Anatolia and Thrace to generate a total dataset for the species of 221 sequences (174 haplotypes). We confirmed the previously described existence of a northern lineage (Anatolia, the southern Balkans, the Caucasus, Iran and Syria) and southern lineage (Israel and Lebanon) and generated Bayesian Skyline Plots to show demographic expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the northern lineage but not the southern. We used haplotype networks to reveal haplotypes close to the ancestral condition of the northern lineage and to infer spread through its range, including colonisation of the southern Balkans. Our various phylogenetic reconstructions also show finer-scale geographic structuring. M. macedonicus likely occupied two separate glacial refugia in the vicinities of Israel and Lebanon (southern lineage) and Anatolia, Georgia and Iran (northern lineage) although further work is needed for precise localisation. M. macedonicus has become a well-worked model system for the phylogeography of a region deserving more attention. Full article