Center for
Circular Economy
We are accelerating the world for the better, with the help of a circular economy.
Energy intensity (Kg of oil equivalent per .000 € of GDP) 2017
Serbia
Europe
0
6
Europe is 3 times more efficient in using energy.
Resource productivity (€ GDP per KG of resources used) 2017
Serbia
Europe
0
2.5
Europe is 7 times more efficient than Serbia in converting raw materials into value.
Serbia exports 64% of its products and value to the European market, while the European market requires circular products
Europe has adopted a package of measures with an action plan that promotes absolute waste reduction while closing the cycle of resource use to achieve first-class efficiency and effectiveness of production and maximum usability and acceleration of innovation. The EU plans to reduce the import of basic raw materials and semi-finished products by 2030, so our businessmen must start modern production of finished products, respecting EU standards and the circular economy’s postulates.
Our successes
EIT CLIMATE-KIC Serbia HUB
In this project, CirEkon stands out as a leader and coordinator of relations between members of the national network (EIT RIS “Consortium”), partners and leading programs of EIT Climate KIC. CirEkon aims to promote EIT Climate-KIC in the national innovation ecosystem and provide strategic advice, contributing to the strategic positioning of the cooperation network in the country, directly connecting with the EIT Climate-KIC RIS team.
THE GOAL:
Ensure the visibility of the EIT Climate-KIC community and raise awareness of EIT Climate-KIC activities and collaboration opportunities for local organizations coming from the fields of education, business and research. Using the systems innovation approach developed by EIT Climate-KIC, the project aims to create a functional, clean technology ecosystem on a multi-year basis.
Web presentation:
https://www.climate-kic.org/countries/serbia/
Supported by:
CREATION OF SYSTEM POLICIES THROUGH REGIONAL MAPPING
In 2021, the European Institute of Technology and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities launched an initiative dedicated to the development of the innovation ecosystem in the Western Balkans. The initiative is called “Green, Circular Economy in the Western Balkans”, led by EIT Climate-KIC. The role of CirEkon as the main actor of the Serbian ecosystem in the EIT Cross-KIC project is to map and co-create policies.
THE GOAL:
The initiative’s primary goal is to strengthen the innovation capacity of the six economies of the Western Balkans by strengthening the presence and scope of the EIT in the region. The project covers various societal challenges such as climate change, digital change, agri-food, raw materials, health, urban mobility and manufacturing. It will implement programs in the circular economy to strengthen the economy, capacity and nurturing knowledge-sharing between countries in the environment with multiple actors.
In 2021, we are implementing one of the most relevant actions – mapping systems and stakeholders in the circular economy in each of the six countries of the Western Balkans. The mapping is guided by the identified needs in the region to achieve agendas and plans and aims to contribute to regional governance, capacity and resources for innovation policy.
THE RESULTS:
The project is ongoing.
Supported by:
Circular Economy Beacons is an international project aiming to create a unique ecosystem that will support innovation and the circular economy’s implementation. This project’s basic idea is to create a physical space that will enable innovators to create, test, and commercialize eco-innovations, thus helping small and medium enterprises implement a circular business model.
THE GOAL:
To implement circular innovations in small and medium enterprises.
Web presentation:
Supported by:
The Academy of Circular Economy is a comprehensive model of educating people about the circular economy’s transition. In cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and with the support of EIT Climate KICthis program gathered over 60 people in business from over 15 business areas in two years, cooperating with over 20 domestic and international experts from various business subfields of a circular economy. In Serbia, ACE defines the community of responsible companies. The average grade of ACE in the last two years was 4.62 (out of 5). The participants are ready to propose and systemically approach new circular solutions that will soon differentiate them on the market.
THE GOAL:
Systematic transfer of knowledge about the circular economy from the world to the Serbian business system.
Web presentation:
Supported by:
INTERREG – MOVECO
MOVECO aims to create a joint regional strategy for access to the circular economy for all countries in the Danube River Basin. This project revealed the regional potentials of eco-innovation, the current situation in waste management in the region’s countries and brought closer the priority areas in the flows of substances in the countries that implemented the project. Milan Veselinov (from CirEkon) was in charge of performing complex system analyzes for Serbia and Montenegro.
THE GOAL:
Network the countries of the Danube region and harmonize priorities for better collaboration on the circular economy.
RESULTS:
The countries’ draft joint strategy in the Danube region is a platform for the exchange of experiences, materials, and networking “Danube Goes Circular”. More on strategy.
Web presentation:
CE TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS
CirEkon conducted numerous training on the territory of Serbia and the European Union in companies, local public institutions and pan-European organizations on a large number of topics, but focusing on four areas of CE:
- Introduction to the business circular economy
- System innovations for the circular economy
- Introduction to the product life cycle as a new way of acquiring a competitive position
- Defining the current situation and tools for the circular economy.
INNOCAT
INNOCAT (Innovative CRM substitution technology for public authorities’ vehicle catalysts) is a project co-financed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, intending to expand innovations in recycling and reuse of platinum and related metals from old car catalysts.
CirEkon, in the role of a partner on Serbia’s territory, aims to enable a business to actors who need to follow world economic and technological-innovative trends and help in innovations in the field of auto-catalysts and recycling of precious metals. During 2019 and 2020, we identify economic opportunities in these two markets, and the call is to jointly define the potential for business development in EU countries and partner countries, including Serbia. CirEkon creates an ecosystem between the academy, local governments, and business systems and creates a new market for modern car catalysts and the recycling of precious metals, which currently does not exist in Serbia.
THE GOAL:
Connect the Serbian system actors, harmonizing motives for improving old vehicles in a public function in terms of emitting harmful gases, establishing active cooperation between the academy, business system and local governments, and public companies and creating a basis for opening the precious metals recycling market.
We are accelerating the world for the better, with the help of a circular economy.
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