Supporting the transition to a circular economy in the Western Balkans
Green transformation – circular economy in the Western Balkans
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ClientGerman Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
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CountryWestern Balkans/Eastern Partnership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
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Political sponsorsMore
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Runtime2025 to 2027
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Products and expertiseClimate, environment, management of natural resources
Context
The countries of the Western Balkans are facing the challenge of transitioning their production and consumption to a circular economy. This is because more and more waste is being generated, very little of which is recycled – due in part to a lack of infrastructure. The countries do not have modern recycling facilities, sorting centres, domestic and industrial waste collection systems or digital systems for material traceability. Cross-border logistics for secondary raw materials also face challenges. This is slowing down economic progress.
Reforms are necessary in order to meet the environmental standards of the European Union (EU). These reforms should aim to modernise waste management and create regional, cross-border supply chains for the circular economy.
Objective
The countries of the Western Balkans are laying the institutional and economic foundations required to establish regional material flows geared to the circular economy.
Approach
The project promotes regional dialogue, capacity development in towns and municipalities and cooperation by:
- Using Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) dialogue formats to support the development of a regional recycling economy in terms of strategy and policy
- Supporting the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) network to evaluate regional economic potential for processed materials
- Developing training courses on the circular economy in collaboration with the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) and providing appropriate training to the national associations of towns and municipalities.
The project brings together regional, national, municipal and private sector stakeholders. It equips them with the necessary know-how and familiarises them with tried-and-tested practical case studies. In this way, it is laying the foundations required to establish economically sustainable and institutionally efficient material flows in the region that are geared to the circular economy.
Last update: June 2025