Needs Assessments: Western Balkan countries on the road to the circular economy

Linear economy, as a principle in which resources are extracted, products are made, sold and, after a short use, thrown away, excludes the possibility of optimizing the use of resources in the ecosystem and puts a lot of pressure on natural resources, which are depleting at a recording rate. This type of economic system depends heavily on the use of non-renewable energy sources, such as metals, oil and minerals. Also, it uses resources that are, by their nature renewable, such as land and water, but uses and treats them in such a way that leaves no room for their renewal.

As a response to the current resource and climate crisis, we have circular economy. As the name already clearly indicates, in the circular economy the focus is on the constant circulation of raw materials and products, with minimal waste generation and minimal emission of greenhouses gases. Also, one of the postulates of the circular economy is that it is supplied with energy from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind.

In developing countries, there is a need to implement a circular economy model whose goal would be to enable economic growth and prosperity within the capacity of the environment and in accordance with the goals of sustainable development. The European Union is making efforts to introduce a circular economy, with a strong emphasis on business development through several important documents and strategies such as: Extended consumer responsibility, Paris Agreement, European Green Deal, Eco-design Directive and others. These documents serve as a guide in the transition from a linear to a circular economy through the use of circular materials; value and energy flows through a combination of extended product life cycles; intelligent product design and standardization; reuse and recycling; energy transition and optimization of resource consumption.

The question is: Are the countries of the Western Balkans ready for these changes to come?

In order to get an answer to this question, CirEkon, as the leader of the ‘Circular Economy Balkan Beacons’ project, together with partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Germany, conducted a research on needs assessments of the Western Balkans countires, on their way to a circular economy. The research was conducted in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. A comparative analysis of the needs of all three countries was also done.

We invite you to read our publications:

Needs Assessments Report: Serbia on the road to the circular economy

Needs Assessments Report: Montenegro on the road to the circular economy

Needs Assessments Report: Bosnia and Herzegovina on the the road to the circular economy

Summary Needs Assessment Report: Western Balkans countries on the road to the circular economy

We believe that these publications will help all sectors (public, private and academic) in decision-making about further development towards a circular economy.

Needs Assesesments were conducted as a part of the ’Circular Economy Balkan Beacons’ project, which is supported by EiT Climate KIC, EU’s main climate innovation initiative.

Stay up-to-date with all of our activities by subscribing to our newsletter and make sure you follow us on social media:

? LinkedIN: Circular Economy Beacons

? Facebook: Circular Economy Beacons

? Instagram: circular.economy.beacons

? Youtube: Circular Economy Beacons