INSTITUTE IMPLEMENTS THE INTERNATIONAL CIRCLEAWARE PROJECT
The Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska is implementing the international project CircleAware: Driving Awareness and Accelerating the Circular Economy Transition, carried out within the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro programme.
The project is implemented in partnership with the City of Trilj (HR) as the Lead Partner and Komunalno Kotor Ltd. (ME), with a total duration of 30 months.
Common Challenges and Objectives
Countries in the region face similar challenges in waste management, including low recycling rates, insufficiently developed infrastructure, and limited public awareness of the importance of the circular economy.
The CircleAware project aims to:
- improve infrastructure for separate waste collection,
- raise public awareness of the circular economy,
- strengthen the capacities of public administration and municipal utility companies,
- enable cross-border exchange of knowledge and good practices.
Role of the Institute
The Institute for Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska plays a key role as a scientific, educational, and advisory institution. The Institute’s activities include:
- organizing professional training on the circular economy for public administration representatives,
- implementing the school education program “Towards Sustainability: Circular Economy for Youth,”
- participating in pilot activities for establishing separate waste collection systems,
- organizing a round table in Banja Luka following the implementation of pilot activities,
- jointly preparing and implementing all project tasks with project partners.
The Institute will equip primary schools with containers and composters, which will be used for education and for improving local practices in the management of recyclable waste and bio-waste.
Innovative Elements of the Project
- A digital solution for the recycling center in Trilj, enabling the recording of quantities and types of delivered waste.
- Pilot installation of containers and bins for separate waste collection in all three partner countries.
- International expert study visits, including visits to the composting facility in Kotor and the recycling yard in Trilj.
- Environmental competitions and educational activities in schools, aimed at raising awareness among children and young people.
The CircleAware project represents an important step toward accelerating the transition to a circular economy and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of environmental protection. The Institute will regularly inform the public about all project activities and results.