The Western Balkans are currently characterised by traditional, ‘linear’ economic production and consumption patterns, making the transition to a circular economy essential. Over 90% of collected waste ends up in landfills, hindering both EU compliance and ecological and economic sustainability. Currently, strategic conversations on the transition to a circular economy occur primarily at the national level, while municipalities and private actors lack the technical expertise and resources to implement meaningful reforms toward a circular economy.
The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of national and municipal administrations, private sector actors, and specialised organisations to establish the foundations for economically sustainable and institutionally efficient reforms in regional, circular material flows, including the modernisation of waste management. It:
• supports municipalities in implementing circular economy reforms and improving material flow and waste management systems,
• works with the WB6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), national chambers of commerce, and similar associations to develop regional circular economy business models and incentivise private sector investment in the circular economy,
• assists NALAS in delivering gender-responsive circular economy qualification measures aligned with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB) and EU-relevant legal frameworks to enable long-term transformation,
• conducts a participatory market analysis in multiple phases, actively involving chambers of commerce in data collection, analysis, and evaluation to promote sustainable business models.
Key implementation partners include NALAS, the regional association of municipalities whose members comprise all WB6 municipal associations, and the WB6 CIF. The RCC serves as the lead agency for the project.