CIRCULAR COMMUNITIES IN SERBIA
Circular economy is a business model that saves and renews natural resources and energy, prolongs the use of materials and products, and reduces waste. In the last 50 years, global resource consumption has quadrupled, with unsustainable increases in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of waste generated. Currently, less than 9% of the world economy is based on circular principles, and these principles will be a necessity for the sustainable economy of the future.
In order to encourage and promote circular economy in the local context, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the UNDP, in partnership, have been implementing the project “Reducing the carbon footprint of local communities by applying the principles of the circular economy in the Republic of Serbia – Circular Communities”, with the financial support of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF), since March 2022, until March 2027.
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Project goal:
Encouraging the development and supporting the implementation of circular ideas, business models and products of public and private companies, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of local communities in Serbia.
Project focus:
- Establish a supportive public policy and institutional framework aligned with EU circular economy policies, including training to improve the knowledge and skills of stakeholders, as well as encouraging broad community participation in the development and implementation of such policies;
- Establish a Low Carbon Communities Innovation Platform – LCCIP, in order to identify and support new business ideas, products, investments in the area of circular economy and efficient use of resources;
- Pilot investments in the area of circular economy;
- Spread knowledge and raise public awareness on the importance of circular economy.
News
An Info Day within the framework of the Public Call for Strengthening the Role of Women in the Circular Economy will be held on March 26, 2025, starting at 2:00 PM. We invite all interested female entrepreneurs to join us online via the Zoom platform. Registration…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have announced that, with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a new public call will be launched on International Women's Day to strengthen the role of women entrepreneurs in the circular…
At a time when environmental protection is becoming increasingly important, a small family printing house from Pančevo has found a creative way to turn its paper waste into useful products, reducing its environmental impact and extending the lifespan of high-quality materials. The Deto printing house,…
Belgrade, October 10, 2024 – On World Eco-label Day, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), announce a public call for support in awarding the Eco-label for tourism accommodation services in…
The organisation for support of persons with developmental disabilities, "Our Home", is located in the Mirijevo district of Belgrade. On the organisation's premises, hard-working young people turn used cigarette packets into a brand new product - high-quality recycled paper. The organisation, run by Anica Spasov,…
One of the most important principles of the circular economy is that the waste generated during the manufacture of a product is used as a raw material for another process or product. A chicken farm in Vojvodina applies this principle with great success by combining…
Within the EU Green Week, the World Environment Day was marked with an event in Belgrade featuring educational program, awards for ‘green’ innovations, the opening of two competitions and sailing to the Great War Island. The event was organized jointly by the Ministry of Environmental…
More than 50 percent of the subject programs at higher education institutions in the Republic of Serbia need significant revisions to better incorporate aspects of the circular economy and sustainable development, according to the results of the "Analysis of the Actual State of the Representation…
In collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), a meeting will take place on Monday, May 27, at 10:30 a.m. at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy. The event will feature the presentation of the "Analysis of the…
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, made a notable appearance at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in Brussels in mid-April. Serbia was one of 40 exhibitors in the Expo Zone, promoting its innovators on the global…
The director and owner of the Deto printing house, Miodrag Ristić, along with Emilia Ristić, introduced their innovative online store, kutijice.com, which has received support from the Global Environment Facility, at the recently held Digitalk conference in Zrenjanin. This innovative idea focuses on reusing excess…
With the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a new public call for cooperation between science and businesses in developing and implementing innovative solutions to reduce waste or transform waste into new raw materials. The aim…
With the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will present the best innovations from Serbia for reducing waste and converting waste into new raw materials, at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024 (WCEF2024), which will take place in…
UNDP Serbia and the Ministry of Environmental Protection will participate in the eighth World Circular Economy Forum, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 18 in Brussels. This forum stands as the premier global event within the circular economy domain, convening experts worldwide to…
WCEF2024 Accelerator Session: Insects-based solutions for a circular bioeconomy Time: 18 April 2024 at 14:00-15:30 CEST (UTC+2)Place: hybrid – Premises of the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, Boulevard du Regent 53, 1000 BRUXELLES, and online, via ZOOM The session presented…
A workshop where participants discussed enhancing regulations related to by-products and the termination of waste status took place in the United Nations building in Belgrade. The workshop began with opening addresses by Sandra Dokić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and Miroslav Tadić,…
The working conference entitled "Integrating Circular Economy Goals into Local Waste Management Plans - Challenges and Possible Solutions" was held at the "Zira" hotel. The event brought together experts, institutional representatives, and stakeholders to discuss the integration of circular economy principles into local waste management…
To engage all relevant actors in society in activities that will reduce the economy's dependence on fossil fuels and help Serbia to timely increase its resilience to changed climate conditions, the Ministry of Environmental Protection held a "Dialogue on Climate Change". The event was organized…
The regional conference, Balkans Go Circular 2023, dedicated to the circular economy, was held at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences of the University of Belgrade. Organized by the Center for Circular Economy CirEkon, this third annual conference brought together experts in the field of circular…
Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) gave financial awards in the amount of USD 190,000 to the authors of the 19 best innovative solutions for a faster transition to a circular economy.…
For the fourth time in a row, National Geographic Serbia organized a conference on the circular economy, addressing its challenges and showcasing examples of good practice under the theme "Think Sustainably, Round up Business." Experts and representatives from relevant institutions spoke at the event. This…
In cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) organized the first dialogue on regional policy within the platform for engaging stakeholders, "Circular STEP." This meeting was part of the UNDA-funded project "Accelerating…
The international forum "Future of Biotechnology" (Biotech Future Forum), organized by the Government of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the World Economic Forum, the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the BIO4 campus,…
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, organized the workshop "Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda," which was attended by employees of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and members of the Circular Economy Working Group. The participants…
Organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, as part of the "Circular Communities" project, a study visit was organized to the company "Brzan Plast" in Batočina, the wastewater treatment plant in Kruševac, as well as the Pirot Regional…
UŠĆE ECO FEST 23 was held in Belgrade with the aim of raising ecological awareness among citizens and promoting a responsible lifestyle towards oneself, others, and the environment. Organized by UŠĆE Shopping Center and EventUp, and supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the…
The Guide for Sustainable Events was published within the project "Reducing the carbon footprint of local communities by applying the principles of the circular economy in the Republic of Serbia – Circular Communities", implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP, with the financial…
On the occasion of the Global Recycling Day celebrated on 18 March, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), have rewarded the authors of the best innovations in further development of…
With the support of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) awarded today the authors of 21 best innovative ideas for the further development of circular economy in Serbia. The awarded innovations come from the public…
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), launched the Public Call for cooperation between science and business in the field of circular innovations, through the allocation of financial incentives in…
To encourage and accelerate the development of solutions and business models that will directly contribute to greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction and climate change mitigation, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are…