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Description
The project works towards establishing a long-term path for circular based waste management practices. At the heart of the project lie the principles of a circular economy, where waste is considered a valuable resource. It is based on expanding the life cycle of products through reuse, recycling, repair and renovation so that the materials products are made of play a part in the economy for as long as possible.
Our objective is to improve environmental performance in 3 different municipalities in 3 countries (Mažeikiai and wider Telšiai region – Lithuania, Paide – Estonia, and Sumy – Ukraine) by addressing legal issues, recycling infrastructure and technologies, reduction of landfills, and help reaching EU targets related to waste management.
The project aims to mobilise the engaged municipalities towards discovering innovative ways for reducing adverse effects on the environment. To achieve this goal in practical terms, we will employ feasibility studies for recycling/sorting solutions, study tours to Scandinavia for knowledge exchange and piloting and testing best practices and new technologies.
An important aspect of the project is raising awareness and encouraging citizens, youth and children of the municipalities involved to pay attention to waste management, sorting and recycling practices. With this in mind, activities such as creative competitions and the pilots planned seek to encourage active engagement by the local populations and especially youth and children.
The participating municipalities have different challenges and are at different stages in waste management infrastructure. Implementing circular economy practices is the common goal and the transnational nature of the project encourages cooperation between the stakeholders in the partner countries through sharing of knowledge and expertise which will accelerate real improvements in the respective regions.
Summary of project results
The project''s objective was to improve environmental performance in municipalities by addressing legal environment, infrastructure and technologies in the way that increase recycling level, reduces landfills, enables reaching EU targets related to waste management and in establishing a sustainable path to circular-economy future. The partners had somewhat different visions and objectives and differring setups but the red thread was the same, i.e. to improve the performance towards environment by addressing the issues listed above.
The project started with studying partner situations, needs and challenges, then identifying the specific needs for competence building, and finally developing and implementing concepts. An expectation and a plan were to educate the municipal decision-makers in the area of environmental and waste management, create networks, and study best practices; takeaways from these were expected to end up in concept notes. The covid-19 restrictions changed the initial plan but the activities planned andbdgetedd were imlemented, in somehow differet sequence. The partners attended webinars (17 in total) learning different best practices, were part of study tours (12 and a few more specialised for the Lead partner).
During the project, the lead partner did a feasibility for the establishment of the modern waste sorting centre, collected the needs and knowledge and did the planning document for the modern waste sorting and reuse and education station. Telsiai partner performed a study on the produced compost qualities and feasibility of the compost production. Paide partner worked with innoative educational activities for schools and youth, developed innovative awareness activities and university crricular; ran circular community capmpaigns.
The project activities addressed the legal requirements, awaiting chnages, the focus being on the upcoming regulations and obligations, and taking the active steps in preparing for it. Best practice infrastructure and technologies were studied, alternatives analysed in making choices for implementation locally. The partners finalise the project with some tangible results - the construction technical project for the modern waste sorting, reuse and education center ; recommendations for quality compost production; new educational curricular for circular education; a network for cometence and cooperation. Importantly, the public awareness has been strenghtend, mindsets affetced thus paving a sustainable transition towards more circular future
Summary of bilateral results
The project was constructed to involve the bilateral partners that were municipalities in cooperation (twin municipalities) and included one regional waste management center. The donor partner was sought with expertise in the area of corcular economy and waste management. The donor partner was new to the team but a good working relationship was established focusing on the project needs. Beneficiaries utilised donor partner competence and know-how in their activities, and the project work was set such that all parties contributed towards sharing needs or assumed needs, identifying needed competencies and knowledge and working towards obtaining the know-how and implementing the activities and project objectives. The donor partner took responsibility for knowledge building and best practice identification, and also, in some instances, provided advisory support. Most of the work was organised for the entire project team and some activities wetre bilateral per specific needs. As a result, cooperation between beneficiaries strenghtened even further, partners established broader networks in the fields of their interests and made the area of joint interests even broader. All partners have good relationship with the donor partner and at some visited locations and based on individual agenda will continue the needed coopration. Activities in the composition of the project team might be continued, ideas were shared but the planning is open for future possibilities.