CETAP hosts Circular Economy Conference 2026
On 21 April 2026, CETAP hosted our Circular Economy Conference as part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sustainability journey. Bringing together industry leaders, institutions, and environmental experts from across Europe and the Western Balkans, the conference marked a pivotal moment in advancing the country’s transition from a linear to a circular economic model.
At a time when alignment with EU environmental legislation is becoming increasingly critical, the event provided a platform to move beyond theory and into action. Central to the discussions was the presentation of CETAP’s Study on the Market Potential for Circular Economy Principles in Special Waste Categories, which outlined the current state of circularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and set out clear, actionable recommendations for progress. The study highlighted both the opportunities and structural challenges facing the country, offering a roadmap to support policy development, investment planning, and practical implementation.
From Policy to Practice
The conference programme explored key pillars of the circular transition, including EU policy frameworks, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and the financial mechanisms required to support systemic change. Sessions led by international and regional experts demonstrated how legislative tools and economic incentives can be used to drive behavioural and operational change across sectors.
Crucially, the event reinforced that the circular economy is not just an environmental ambition—it is an economic opportunity. Discussions around financing models and cost-benefit dynamics made it clear that circularity can unlock efficiency gains, reduce long-term costs, and improve resilience across Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy.
Showcasing Local Innovation
A standout feature of the event was the Best Practice Showcase, which brought the circular economy to life through real examples from Bosnian businesses. Companies from across different sectors demonstrated how they are redesigning products, rethinking processes, and reducing waste in ways that create both environmental and commercial value.
Presentations were given by Ekopak, Eko Grad and Brick.block.ba. These case studies showed that circular principles are already being successfully applied within the local context. By sharing their experiences openly, the showcase created a space for learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Collaboration as the Catalyst
One of the strongest themes emerging from the conference was the importance of collaboration. The transition to a circular economy cannot be achieved by any single stakeholder alone. It requires coordinated action between government institutions, municipalities, businesses, financial organisations, and citizens.
The event successfully created a forum for this multi-stakeholder dialogue, enabling participants to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and contribute to shaping a shared vision for the future. From waste management planning to public awareness and behavioural change, the message was clear: progress depends on alignment, cooperation, and sustained commitment.
Looking Ahead
As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its path towards EU integration and sustainable development, the Circular Economy Conference in Sarajevo represents an important step forward.
CETAP would like to thank all of our speakers at the conference, as well as all of the stakeholders who attended the event.
Empowering the Next Generation: Trashformers Competition Inspires Circular Thinking
The Trashformers competition, delivered in partnership between Europe House and CETAP, has once again demonstrated the power of education in driving meaningful behavioural change. Bringing together schools from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the initiative challenged students to develop creative, practical solutions focused on reducing waste and promoting circular economy principles within their schools and local communities.
This year’s competition saw an impressive 47 submissions from primary and secondary schools nationwide, reflecting both the growing awareness of environmental issues and the enthusiasm of young people to be part of the solution. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 20 schools were shortlisted for peer voting, culminating in the selection of six outstanding winning teams—three from primary schools and three from secondary schools. Their projects showcased not only creativity, but a clear understanding of how everyday actions can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Celebrating Innovation and Impact
The six winning schools—Druga osnovna škola Brčko, Četvrta osnovna škola Brčko District, Osnovna škola “Dvorovi”, Gimnazija “Meša Selimović” Tuzla, Srednja škola Konjic, and Srednjoškolski centar “Nedžad Ibrišimović” Ilijaš—stood out for their ability to translate circular economy concepts into tangible, community-focused initiatives. From reuse and recycling projects to awareness campaigns and creative redesigns of waste materials, their work highlighted the diversity of approaches to sustainability already emerging across the country.
The award ceremony, hosted at Europe House in Sarajevo, brought together students, teachers, and partners to celebrate these achievements. It was a powerful reminder that when young people are given the platform and encouragement to act, they respond with energy, optimism, and innovation.
Turning Ideas into Experience
As part of their reward, each winning team will take part in an eco-excursion to a nature park within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, these trips will give students the opportunity to connect directly with the natural environment they are working to protect. Each excursion includes transport, refreshments, and guided educational activities, ensuring a meaningful and memorable experience for all participants.
CETAP will fund five of the winning teams, with Europe House supporting one team as well as delivering the overall competition and award ceremony. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to investing in young people as key drivers of long-term change.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Trashformers is more than a competition—it is part of a broader effort to embed circular economy thinking into everyday life across Bosnia and Herzegovina. By engaging students at an early stage, the initiative helps build the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes needed to support a long-term transition towards more sustainable behaviours.
Crucially, the competition also reinforces the importance of partnerships. By working together, CETAP and Europe House have created a platform that not only educates but inspires, ensuring that the impact of the campaign extends well beyond its immediate activities.
As these students take their ideas back into their schools and communities, they become ambassadors for change—proving that the transition to a circular economy starts with the habits we build today.
Project Team Visit to Zenica
The project team were in Zenica to meet with the waste management company ALBA who are responsible for the municipal waste management in the city of Zenica. It was a really interesting meeting and it was great to hear the excellent work being done by Alba in the city. They have done some really good work on raising awareness in schools and pre-schools.
It was a pleasure listening to Dr Džafer Dautbegović and his colleague Ms, Mirsada Hasanbašić. We hope to work more closely with the Zenica Canton on the waste management planning component of the project and will welcome the opportunity to have close collaboration with ALBA.
Visit to Banja Luka
It was good to have our mission to the Republika Srpska this month and to meet some of the key project stakeholders from there. It was also lovely to meet our local expert from Banja Luka, Dr Drazenko Bjelic.
We had a really good programme for the week-long visit and this included meetings with the Ministry of Environment where we met Mr Dusko Solomun and Mr Marko Gajic; we also met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of the Republika Srpska – Mrs Dragana Kokot and Mr Marko Savić. It was really good to hear all the excellent work being done by the Chamber in regard to the Circular Economy Agenda. We had a tour round their excellent conferencing facilities and we look forward to close co-operation with them throughout the CETAP project.
In addition to those meetings we also met with representatives - Aleksandar Bajić and Vladimir Ilić -of the Banja Luka Cistoca who are responsible for municipal waste management in the Banja Luka Municipal area. It was a really helpful meeting and provided us with a detailed insight into the role of the Cistoca in the context of waste management activities and the broader interest in Circular Economy.
We had a similarly fruitful meeting with Mr Ratko Jokić, Director, DE-POT Company who operate the regional landfill of Banja Luka.
We also had an excellent meeting with Mr Zoran Lukač who hosted the meeting at the offices of the Environment Protection Fund in Banja Luka. This was our first opportunity to discuss the project with him and to explain the importance of the role to be played by the Environment Protection Fund particularly in regard to the provision of data and also the proposed hosting of the new Waste Exchange Platform to be developed under the project.
Lastly, while in Banja Luka we managed to meet with Mrs Andela Laketic, EuroBeta who explained the role that EuroBeta play in the only Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme in the Republika Srpska. She explained that the system in the Republika Srpska in terms of the EPR scheme was based on non-hazardous packaging waste only. She was really informative and we learned a lot about the operation of the EPR Scheme in the Republika Srpska.
Before we left the Republika Srpska we had a couple of more meetings to attend, firstly with Boris Malinovic, Director, Promal AB Company. Mr Malinovic informed the team that his company had facilities at Brcko District and also at Bijeljina where their focus was the recycling of paper & packaging waste. They have been doing this as a family business for 15 years now. They manage plastic waste and other packaging waste but are not within the EPR scheme.