Cetap

2nd Project Steering Committee Meeting

March marked a significant milestone on the Circular Economy project in Bosnia & Hercegovina as we hosted the second Project Steering Committee meeting. It has been a really productive period on the project and marks the start of an intensive period of activity in the run up to the summer period. We now turn our attention to the Implementation phase and the first activities of the project.

The steering committee meeting was held in Sarajevo and it was really good to meet the members of the committee again and go through the outputs of the reporting period together. The meeting is also an opportunity for the members of the committee to get an insight into the implementation plans in a bit more detail than was outlined on the implementation methodology. 

The steering committee are really supportive of the project and its aims and objectives. They all have a clear understanding of what the expectation level is from this technical assistance project and how they can optimise the benefits from it for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We have a three-monthly cycle of project steering committee meetings The team are really looking forward to working with them over the course of the project lifetime. The next meeting is planned for the end of June 2025 and this will work in well with the completion of the first activities of the implementation phase.

by Cetap

Driving Circular Change: Financial and Legislative Insights from March 2025 Mission

As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its transition toward a circular economy, the CETAP project is building the knowledge, partnerships and policy groundwork needed to reform waste management across the country. In March 2025, financial and legislative expert Mihail Asenov led a mission to deepen the project's understanding of economic structures, policy alignment, and the role of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in driving change.

Bridging Policy, Practice and the Market

The mission, carried out between 9–20 March, engaged with over a dozen stakeholders across Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Brčko District, including ministries, environmental funds, producer responsibility organisations (PROs), and private sector actors. These meetings revealed critical opportunities and obstacles in aligning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s systems with the EU Waste Package and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

Key Highlights and Learnings

• Waste Exchange Platform Development: Consultations with the Environmental Protection Funds of both entities confirmed institutional interest in hosting a national waste exchange platform. Discussions covered technical, financial, and governance considerations.

• EPR System Fragmentation: The mission highlighted inconsistencies in EPR fee collection, reporting, and enforcement. Stakeholders identified a need for regulatory harmonisation, improved oversight, and greater transparency—especially in the packaging and e-waste sectors.

• Market Realities and Data Gaps: Many PROs reported underfunding, unclear legal responsibilities, and significant gaps in data quality and waste tracking. Several called for reforms to ensure open tendering and the inclusion of more private collectors.

• Government Engagement: Ministries from both the Federation and Republika Srpska expressed commitment to legislative alignment with EU directives. However, capacity building and clearer implementation pathways are still needed.

• Chambers and Collaboration: The Chamber of Economy of FBiH welcomed the opportunity to play a coordinating role in circular economy planning, especially around awareness raising and training.

Next Steps

Based on the mission’s outcomes, the following actions are underway:

• Formation of a Finance, Economy and Market Working Group by the end of April.

• Drafting of the Study on Market Potential for circular economy transition.

• Development of coordinated plans for EPR reform and economic instrument alignment.

• Preparation of the next mission, scheduled for late April.

Laying the Economic Foundation for Circularity

This mission provided essential insight into the economic and legal conditions underpinning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s circular economy potential. As the CETAP project progresses, these findings will inform not only strategic planning but also practical recommendations for building a robust, harmonised, and financially viable system for waste recovery and recycling.

To learn more and follow the progress of CETAP, visit www.cetap.ba/en/news.

by Cetap

Strengthening Circular Economy Insights Across Bosnia and Herzegovina: Highlights from the March 2025 Mission

The EU-funded CETAP project continues to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey toward a circular economy. As part of this momentum, an expert mission was conducted in March 2025 across several regions, providing invaluable on-the-ground insights into local waste management practices, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement.

On-the-Ground Engagement Across the Federation and Republika Srpska

Led by international expert Maria Krasteva from Environment Agency Austria, the mission covered key municipalities in both entities, including Canton 10 (Livno), Tuzla, Zenica, Travnik, and Banja Luka. The objective was to assess the current state of waste generation, collection, and treatment—with a focus on special categories such as e-waste, used tyres, batteries, and End-of-Life Vehicles (EoLVs).

Site visits and interviews were conducted with:

• Public Utility Companies (PUCs) in Livno, Tuzla, Travnik, and Zenica
• Private scrap and recycling operators
• Metal reprocessing firms (e.g., Cibos)
• Local environmental authorities
• The Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska
• Regional landfill and sorting facilities in Sarajevo
  

Key Findings

1. Varying Levels of Readiness: The mission revealed significant regional differences in capacity and infrastructure for waste collection and recycling. Some cantons have initiated dual collection systems, while others still rely heavily on mixed waste disposal.

2. Challenges in Special Waste Categories: Consistent issues were raised around handling of EoLVs, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and tyres—largely due to fragmented responsibilities, insufficient enforcement, and lack of data.

3. Resource Constraints and Investment Needs: Across both public and private stakeholders, a common concern was the limited financial and technical capacity to implement advanced waste recovery solutions without external support.

4. Strong Willingness to Cooperate: Encouragingly, all stakeholders expressed readiness to participate in technical working groups and to align their strategies with CETAP’s goals.
   

Looking Ahead

The mission outcomes will directly inform the development of the Study on the Market Potential for Circular Economy Application, feeding into the assessment of market potential for circular economy principles. Follow-up actions include:

• Establishment of a dedicated Technical Working Group by the end of April.

• Finalisation of activity plans to support legal harmonisation and local implementation.

• Continued collaboration on waste data collection and planning support for municipal partner.

Collaboration in Action

CETAP’s hands-on approach—combining policy planning with deep community engagement—is already proving instrumental in tailoring solutions to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unique context. The March mission reinforced the need for integrated action across government levels, industry, and civil society to make the circular economy a functional reality.

To stay updated on future activities and reports, visit www.cetap.ba/en/news.

by Cetap

Project Team Visit to Mostar

Mostar is an important city for the project team as it is host to the only function Environment Fund at Cantonal level in the Federation. Dr Musetoiu and the project team leader travelled to Mostar to meet representatives from the Cantonal Fund. It was an excellent meeting and the project team meet with the following representatives from the Fund: Daniel Brkić, Legal Department and Goran Čevro, Technical Service.

by Cetap

Project Team Visit to Bijeljina

It was a long snowy drive from Sarajevo to Bijeljina but it was a worthwhile journey to have the opportunity to discuss the project and hopefully future collaboration with the Association of Municipalities in Republika Srpska (ALVRS) who offices are in the city of Bijeljina. 

It was a pleasure to meet with Mr Branislav Samardžić and Predrag Pajić and to better understand the role of the ALVRS. We look forward to future co-operation with them as they can provide a vital communication link between the project and the Municipal stakeholders.

Before we left Bijeljina we had another meeting at the regional landfill site to meet representatives of the Solid Waste Association of Bonia & Hertzegovina (BASWA).

by Cetap

Successful Kick-off Meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Law and Policies within the CETAP Project

On 30 April 2025, the online kick-off meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Law and Policies was successfully held within the CETAP project – “Technical Assistance for Improved Utilization of Materials from Waste through Separate Collection, Reuse and Recycling Based on the Principles of Circular Economy.”

The meeting gathered legal professionals, representatives of institutions at various levels of government, civil society organizations, the academic community, and international partners. The focus of the meeting was to exchange views on the challenges and priorities related to aligning the legal framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the principles of circular economy.

Participants were introduced to the CETAP project, its structure, objectives, and its expected contribution to improving the waste management system in the country. The roles and working methods of the Thematic Working Group on Law and Policies were presented, as well as the draft Engagement Plan that will guide future work.

The discussion highlighted key obstacles in the current legal framework, opportunities for improving secondary legislation, and the need for better cross-sectoral coordination. Group members agreed that legal and institutional frameworks are fundamental to successful circular economy implementation and committed to focusing future activities on drafting practical legal recommendations and ensuring enforceability.

In the coming period, the Thematic Working Group on Law and Policies will actively work on finalizing the Engagement Plan, developing proposals for amendments to relevant legislation, and providing legal support to other thematic groups within the CETAP project.

We thank all participants for their engagement and valuable contributions, and we look forward to continuing our joint work on strengthening the legislative foundation for sustainable waste management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

by Cetap

Successful Kick-off Meeting of the Technical Thematic Working Group within the CETAP Project

On 29 April 2025, the online kick-off meeting of the Technical Thematic Working Group was successfully held within the CETAP project – “Technical Assistance for Improved Utilization of Materials from Waste through Separate Collection, Reuse and Recycling Based on the Principles of Circular Economy.”

The meeting was attended by experts in technical waste management, engineering, municipal systems, public utilities, and advisory bodies from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through active exchange of opinions and experiences, participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for improving technical solutions in line with the principles of circular economy.

The main objectives of the meeting were to present the structure and goals of the CETAP project, introduce the members of the group, and clarify the role of the Technical Thematic Working Group in the implementation of project activities. The discussion focused on the draft Engagement Plan, with particular attention given to the specific technical tasks, priorities, and tools to be used throughout the group's work.

It was particularly emphasized that technical aspects — including infrastructure for separate waste collection, equipment for sorting and processing, and the development of local operational capacity — represent core elements for a successful transition to a circular economy. Group members highlighted the importance of developing technically feasible and economically sustainable solutions tailored to local conditions and practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the coming weeks, the Technical Thematic Working Group will continue working on finalizing the Engagement Plan, identifying priority interventions, and supporting the implementation of practical technical solutions on the ground, in close coordination with other thematic groups and the CETAP project team.

We thank all participants for their engagement and contributions and look forward to continuing our collaboration to strengthen the technical foundations for sustainable waste management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

by Cetap

Successful Kick-off Meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Economy and Finance within the CETAP Project

On April 29, 2025, the kick-off online meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Economy and Finance was successfully held within the CETAP project – “Technical Assistance for Improved Utilization of Materials from Waste through Separate Collection, Reuse and Recycling Based on the Principles of Circular Economy.”

The meeting brought together participants from various sectors across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including public institutions, economic and fiscal experts, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives. Through an open and interactive discussion, participants exchanged views and experiences on the economic aspects of circular economy and waste management.

The main objectives of the meeting were to introduce the members of the working group, present the goals and structure of the CETAP project, define the role of the Thematic Working Group on Economy and Finance, and review the draft Engagement Plan. Particular focus was placed on identifying key economic challenges in implementing circular economy principles and setting priorities for future work.

During the discussion, participants emphasized the need for the development of sustainable economic models, fiscal incentives, and market-based mechanisms that would support broader application of separate collection, recycling, and reuse of materials. The group agreed that strengthening the economic rationale is essential for attracting investment and informing policy decisions at all levels of government.

In the coming period, members of the working group will continue working on refining the Engagement Plan, developing economic analyses and proposed measures, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of waste management systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We sincerely thank all participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing efficient and sustainable economic solutions in the field of circular economy.

by Cetap

Successful Kick-Off Meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Education and Awareness Raising within the CETAP Project

On April 28, 2025, the introductory meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Education and Awareness Raising was successfully held within the CETAP project – "Technical Assistance for Improved Utilization of Materials from Waste through Separate Collection, Reuse and Recycling Based on the Principles of Circular Economy."

The meeting gathered 20 representatives from various multidisciplinary sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including education, environmental protection, local governance, the private sector, and civil society. Through active participation, the attendees contributed to the discussion on the importance of education and awareness raising as key tools for encouraging behavior change related to waste source separation.

The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the group members to one another, present the objectives and structure of the CETAP project, define the role of the Thematic Working Group, and discuss the draft Engagement Plan, including key tasks and priorities for future work.

During the discussion, it was particularly emphasized that low consumer awareness of the need for source separation of waste has been identified as one of the main barriers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group members agreed that continuous education and public awareness campaigns are crucial for the successful implementation of circular economy principles.

In the coming period, the members of the Thematic Working Group will actively work on refining the Engagement Plan, developing tools and methods for public communication and education, and strengthening cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.

We thank all participants for their active contribution and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

by Cetap