The relevance of Erasmus+ CBHE project “Creating the Network of Knowledge Labs for Sustainable and Resilient Environments – KLABS” (implemented from 15.10.2015-14.10.2018) refers to the establishment of a long-lasting, comprehensive and contemporary platform within the second cycle of higher education that responds to challenges regarding sustainability and climate-adaptive capacity of urban and rural built environment in the Western Balkans. KLABS’ innovative and holistic response to the identified lack of competencies in these two interrelated areas resulted in:-Development/modernisation, validation and implementation of six study programmes, and belonging courses, that deal with specialised topics, introduce IT tools and methods (software and software-supported equipment, and virtual educational and mobility platforms), connect knowledge gaining with real-life problems, support inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary approaches, and promote learner-centred and lifelong education; -Development of open-access collection “Reviews of Sustainability and Resilience of the Built Environment for Education, Research and Design” (TU Delft Open, 2018), consisted of five books published in the English language, and one in the language of the Western Balkans participating institutions. The series of books features research topics encompassed by KLABS programmes and courses, and contributes to thorough understanding of sustainability and resilience, and their interrelations in the built environment, by retrospectively investigating their development, addressing current issues, and speculating on possible futures;-Foundation of six units within the Western Balkans participating institutions – centres or labs – that support practical part of ongoing education in KLABS programmes and connect academia with non-academic actors; and -Establishment of the “Network of Knowledge Labs for Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment in the Balkans”, a pioneering regional academic network dealing with sustainability and resilience to climate change in educational, research and professional terms. Every of six founding Network members has its primary operational area that corresponds to KLABS programmes: resource efficiency, and sustainability and resilience assessments; energy efficient and green architecture; fire protection; energy efficiency of settlements; integrated architectural and urban design; and environmental infrastructure management.
Sustainability achievement and development of climate-adaptive capacity account for fundamental conditions of progress of society, therefore these two interrelated concepts need to be studied concurrently. With the harmonization of national legislation with European framework, sustainable development becomes important issue in Western Balkans countries. However, the education sector - one of the main pillars of society to-date didn't follow established European path. WB university programmes related to sustainability are rare and focused just on energy aspect; specialized programmes which would include comprehensive education on sustainability and resilience of built environments do not exist. The lack of knowledge leaves significant and permanent damage in the environment, contributes to the increment of ecological, social and economic risks, and represents aggravating factor for inclusion in European dimensions of education and labor. Environmental protection in engineering branches, architecture and construction refers to the design, development, analysis and implementation of wide range of appropriate technical-technological solutions, measures and practices. KLABS intends to modernize higher education provision in WB by developing new specializing study programmes and new professional profile prepared for coping with, managing and shaping of "conditions characterized by change, uncertainty, risk and complexity" (Sterling, 2012). Problem intricacy requires interdisciplinary approach. Responsibility of engineers and architects in achieving sustainability and resilience of built environments is very significant, therefore new programmes will not make impact just on involved institutions, but as well on wide environment. In the long term, KLABS will impact the overall development of WB countries by delivering new generation of professionals capable of dealing with current recognized challenges.