The Balkan Green Belt is essential for the development of Green Infrastructure at EU level. Nevertheless, the intensification of land use and infrastructure development is putting pressure on Green Belt habitats and their connectivity. Improved legislation and the consistent implementation of spatial and land use planning are important instruments for balancing different interests. Based on the given EU framework, the project team derived appropriate recommendations, supported capacity building and applied the developed instruments in the cross-border pilot region Jablanica-Shebenik.