25/06/2026
The first WB6 CIF Working Group meeting under the project “Green Transformation: Circular Economy in the Western Balkans” was held in Budva on 24 June 2026, following the Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council - RCC
The project is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with WB6 CIF, on behalf of the German Government, within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans. It aims to lay the foundations for a regional circular economy by strengthening policy frameworks, building institutional capacities, and fostering cooperation between public institutions, municipalities, and the private sector. The initiative supports the transition from fragmented waste management and linear resource use towards regional circular material flows and circular business models aligned with EU standards.
The meeting opened with a presentation of the project framework and the partnership between GIZ, WB6 CIF, Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS), and Regional Cooperation Council - RCC . ♻️
This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Henning Wilts of the Wuppertal Institute, who shared EU experiences in developing circular material flows, focusing on circular strategies, market opportunities, material flow analysis, priority action areas, and examples of circular cities and regions across Europe.
Sinisa Mitrovic, circular economy expert from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, presented the private sector perspective on green transition and circular economy in the Western Balkans. His session covered the shift from linear to circular economic models, key EU regulatory frameworks such as the European Green Deal, CBAM, CSRD, and the Digital Product Passport, as well as circularity measurement tools and real-life examples of industrial symbiosis and circular business models.
Upcoming activities, presented by Muela Ibrahimi, Director of the Department for Economy and Innovation at the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, will focus on validating the market assessment for three circular material flows, conducting in-depth analysis of two regional business models, and continuing data collection across the region. 📊