CETAP Project: Steering Committee Meeting Held in Sarajevo
The Steering Committee meeting of the CETAP (Circular Economy and Waste Management Project) project was held on March 12, 2025, in Sarajevo, with the aim of discussing the progress and strategic direction of the project. This key event gathered representatives from leading institutions and organizations to discuss the critical aspects of the project and its effective implementation in line with EU standards and the principles of circular economy.
During the meeting, participants thoroughly reviewed the Draft Progress Report covering the period from November 10, 2024, to February 14, 2025. Discussions focused on current challenges, ongoing activities, and next steps to ensure the continued efficient implementation of the project and the achievement of its planned goals. Special attention was given to improving material recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse, and recycling.
The meeting was attended by representatives from key institutions and organizations:
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Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of BiH
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Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska
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Government of Brčko District BiH, Department for Communal Affairs – Sub-department for Capital Investments
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Directorate for European Integration of BiH (observer in the Steering Committee)
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COWI A/S
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Umweltbundesamt – Austrian Environment Agency
The CETAP project remains committed to achieving sustainable solutions in waste management, aiming to enhance existing systems through the integration of innovative approaches to circular economy. During this meeting, the Steering Committee members once again reaffirmed their dedication to creating long-term, sustainable solutions that will have a positive impact on environmental protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We thank all Steering Committee members for their valuable contributions to shaping a more sustainable future for our country.
CETAP Project: First Steering Committee Meeting Held in Sarajevo
The first Steering Committee meeting of the CETAP (Circular Economy and Waste Management Project) was held on November 19, 2024, in Sarajevo. The meeting brought together key institutional representatives to discuss the initial steps and strategic direction of the project.
During the meeting, participants reviewed the Draft Initial Report, addressing key challenges, planned activities, and next steps for project implementation in alignment with EU standards and circular economy principles. The discussions focused on the project’s roadmap for the coming months, ensuring a clear path forward for its successful execution.
Main topics discussed during the meeting included:
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Introductory remarks and project objectives overview
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Presentation of the Draft Initial Report
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Discussion on the project plan for the next three months
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Interactive Q&A session
The CETAP project continues to focus on improving waste management through separate collection, reuse, and recycling, with the ultimate goal of strengthening circular economy practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project represents a significant step toward enhancing sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of waste.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all members of the Steering Committee for their valuable contributions to this crucial process. Together, we are working towards a more sustainable future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Project Team Leader in BiH Announced
E Scott Crossett was really delighted to be asked to take up the post of Team Leader on a new technical assistance project in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The project is a European Union funded through the IPA 2020 programme and entitled “Technical assistance for improved materials recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse and recycling based on circular economy principles”
The overall objective of the project action is to further align policies and regulations in area of waste management to achieve better protection of environment and facilitate sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The specific objective of this contract area is to improve recovery of materials from waste through separate collections, reuse and recycling based on the principles of circular economy.
The expected outputs by the project team are:
- Output 1: A comprehensive set of legislation harmonized with the EU Waste Package is developed;
- Output 2: Policy frameworks developed that facilitate the transition towards a circular economy;
- Output 3: Feasible schemes for the collection and treatment of special categories of waste, based on circular economy principles, are defined.
The first mission to BiH was September and the team met with the Project Director Ion Nae Musetoiu from Romania. Ion, who is an expert on extended producer responsibility, s on leave from the Ministry of Environment in Bucharest to undertake this project, the team is looking forward to working with him.
Inception Workshop Kicks Off EU-Funded Project “Technical assistance for improved materials recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse and recycling based on circular economy principles”
In an effort to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina's waste management practices and align them with EU standards, EU-funded project “Technical assistance for improved materials recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse and recycling based on circular economy principles” officially launched on October 28, 2024 in Sarajevo with an Inception Workshop, setting the stage for an ambitious 32-month initiative. The workshop brought together stakeholders from across sectors to discuss the project’s purpose, objectives, and anticipated outcomes in advancing the principles of a circular economy.
The event opened with remarks from an EU Delegation representative Renata Abduzaimović, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and waste reduction for the future development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Project Consortium lead COWI representative Helle Qwist-Hoffmann followed with an introduction to the project, noting the initiative’s role in addressing critical environmental and economic challenges through improved materials recovery.
Project Team Leader Scott Crossett provided an overview of the project’s primary activities, focusing on three key areas: developing a regulatory framework for waste management, implementing pilot actions to improve waste recovery and recycling, and raising public awareness around sustainable waste practices. Each of these components was then explored in greater depth, with the project’s legal, economic, and awareness experts outlining the strategies and expected impacts in their respective areas.
Legal Expert Ionut Musetoiu presented the methodology for regulatory alignment, detailing plans to update Bosnia and Herzegovina’s waste policies to meet EU standards. Following this, the Economic Expert Vedad Suljić highlighted the project's approach to implementing pilot actions, explaining how these initiatives will demonstrate effective waste recovery and recycling strategies within a circular economy model. Rounding out the agenda, the Awareness Raising Expert Lejla Sahačić discussed the project’s public engagement approach, aimed at cultivating a stronger understanding of sustainable waste practices across the country.
The participants of the workshop were representatives of relevant institutions: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sector for Waste Management at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology (RS), Department for Spatial Planning and Property legal affairs of Brčko District, Chambers of Commerce, utility companies, private companies, and many other institutions and organizations.
The workshop closed with a question-and-answer session that allowed participants to gain further insights into the project’s technical approach and anticipated milestones. Attendees also took advantage of a post-session networking lunch, exchanging ideas and establishing connections that will strengthen collaboration as the project progresses. The inception workshop marked an important milestone in the drive towards a sustainable future for Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the critical role of EU partnerships in this journey toward a more resilient, resource-efficient economy.
