Donor: EU – IPA CBC MNE-ALB
Project Value: €563,515.50
Donor Contribution: €478,988.18
Implementation Period: 01.02.2021 – 01.02.2023
Project Overview The general objective of the project is to improve the protection of environmental resources in lake and alpine areas. The specific objective is to reduce residual waste through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling measures. The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije is the lead applicant, working alongside Zero Waste Montenegro, and Albanian partners ALCDF (Albanian Local Capacity Development Foundation) and Green Line Albania.
Project Results
Result 1: A platform created to guide local communities toward Zero Waste Cities. To achieve this, the project established Zero Waste Advisory Boards in Gusinje (Montenegro) and Margegaj (Albania). These boards bring together civic representatives, local businesses, the tourism industry, municipal officials, and informal leaders. Their involvement ensures that Zero Waste activities continue long after the project’s official end. A crucial part of this result was conducting comprehensive research and assessments of waste volumes (disposed/recycled/reused) at the household, business, and municipal levels, identifying critical failure points in the current waste management systems.
Result 2: Local communities encouraged and supported in reducing, recycling, and reusing waste. This set of activities focused on raising awareness and taking concrete steps to change habits in the target municipalities. The project team implemented successful models from other “Zero Waste Cities,” using the data from Result 1 to show the local population the environmental impact of their current practices. By presenting these figures, the project demonstrated how simple daily measures can significantly improve the local environment.
Result 3: Sustainability of Zero Waste practices ensured. Through the institutionalization of the Advisory Boards and the creation of local strategic documents, the project provided a long-term framework for waste management that prioritizes circular economy principles.
