Half of total greenhouse gas emissions come from resource extraction and processing. It is not possibleto achieve the climate-neutrality target without transitioning to a fully circular economy. The new CircularEconomy Action Plan is at the core of the European Green Deal, the EU roadmap towards climateneutrality. The circular economy model where value and resources are maintained in the economy foras long as possible and waste generation is minimised, reduces pressures on natural resources whileboosting sustainable growth and jobs creation. It can make a decisive contribution to decarbonisingthe economy. The generation of waste in the Western Balkans has been increasing steadily over thelast years due to economic development and increased consumption, currently being at around1000kg/capita. While this is still lower than the EU average of 1700kg/capita, the very low recyclingrates (below 3%, in comparison to the EU average of 44%) result in higher per capita amount of wastenot being recycled. The Western Balkans will need to align with the single-use plastic legislation and tofully implement the modernised EU waste legislation, including its recycling and landfill reductiontargets.The overall goal of the project is engaging and empowering young people in circularity actionsfor transforming cities into circular and liveable for better opportunities for employment, cleanenvironment and inclusiveness.The final results of the project are: 1 Research paper from each partner elaborated about the status ofcircularity in rural and urban areas, 3 Training Modules developed on circular economy andsustainability, 20 youth operators are trained within the International Training Course WP2, 1Toolkitfocused on Circular Eco-design is developed for product redesign-repair techniques, At least 10 ruralyouth engaged within the local activities through application of circular economy toolkit in every partnercountry, At least 20 hours of e-learning course develop

Waste mismanagement is a significant issue hindering the adoption of a circular economy model in the Western Balkan countries. The agriculture sector represents a large proportion of the bio-waste stream in the rural communities, facing a growing challenge related to insufficient and inadequate infrastructure. Landfilling remains the most applied method of waste disposal, although according to the waste management hierarchy this represents the least desired option. When bio-waste is dumped in landfills, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition (due to the lack of oxygen) and produces methane. Despite efforts to get rid of illegal dumpsites, they continue to thrive and represent a serious public health risk, particularly due to hazardous waste and groundwater contamination. The project aims to engage and empower young people in agro-entrepreneurship actions turning bio-waste into valuable bio-products through innovative circular business models for job creation and environmental protection of rural areas. The project addresses two major issues related to rural areas: unemployment of young people and high amounts of segregated and mixed bio-waste that are not properly managed. In line with the general objectives, these challenges will be addressed through developing capacities of youth workers in recovering valuable nutrients from bio-waste (food waste, manure, sewage sludge, municipal waste etc.) and adapting them for reuse in agriculture, as a fundamental part of shifting WB agriculture away from its current linear model and an integral part of the New Circular Economy Action plan. Apart from the bio-waste management aspects, a Virtual Incubator programme will be dedicated to the challenge of how to design new circular business and marketing concepts for cross-sectorial valorization of agricultural by-products.

“Agro-Tourist Itinerary to Sustainable Change” (ATISC) aims at enhancing Agro-Tourism as a driver of youth employability, social solidarity and environmental sustainability in disadvantaged rural communities in Europe and the Western Balkans by means of strengthening the base of competences and networking of youth NGOs and operators, youngsters and local stakeholders in the field of sustainable Agro-Tourism solutions.Rural areas in both European and West Balkans are generally characterized by fewer opportunities for young people in socioeconomic terms. The agricultural sector, which can provide a substantial solution to mass youth unemployment, faces itself the necessity of adapting to state-of-the-art practices related to proper use of land, pesticides, water consumption, use of renewable energy resources, sustainable ratio between use of raw resources and agricultural yield as a means to reduce the social/environmental footprint on the territory and the community as well as to capitalize on emerging opportunities of product/offer diversification provided by new market niches in order to set the conditions for an expanded circuit of youth employability and direct entrepreneurial engagement.The added value of promoting/supporting the development of youth awareness and capacities in the frame of Agro-Tourism emerges from both its potential as a driver of youth employability and Agro-Tourism connection with the socially oriented dimension of environmental sustainability as a tool of youth agency in the protection of a shared local heritage within local communities.Project Objectives:- Supporting empowerment, employability and social inclusion of youngsters in rural areas by means of enhancing the role and effectiveness of youth organizations in promoting youth engagement in sustainable Agro-Tourism;- Enhancing the professional development and operational effectiveness of youth operators working in rural areas;-Developing a cluster of tested knowledge, best practices and NFE tools of youth education to Agro-Business based on a complementary synergy of country and region specific experience, sensibilities and approaches;- Promoting principles and practices of environmental respect and sustainability across Europe, the Western Balkans and other regions of the World.- Raising awareness about the issues of environmental sustainability as a key determinant of youth employability and participation as well as long-term viability of rural communities and national societies in both Europe and the Western Balkans.- Contrasting the negative spill-overs of regional imbalances on youth employability and social integration in rural areas through sustainable Agro-Tourism.- Fostering financial sustainability of youth Agro-Tourism businesses through establishing support mechanisms for the identification of customized funding solutions participated by potential youth entrepreneurs and stakeholders.- Establishing a long-term NGO network in the field.

The generation of municipal waste has risen steadily in the Western Balkans in recent years and is currently estimated to be at levels similar to those in the new EU member states (although data on solid waste are poor). The generation of municipal waste per capita in the region is estimated to have increased sharply between 2014 and 2018, from 234 to 330 kg (40 percent). This increase is linked to the steady increase in GDP in the same period, although the growth in waste outstripped the growth in GDP. Municipal waste collection is insufficient in most countries in the region, especially in rural areas. Large numbers of waste facilities are outdated. On 2 December 2015, the European Commission establish a package to support the EU's transition to a circular economy.. The Western Balkan and as candidate region to join EU family must adhere the circular economy principles and integrate the community in the process. The project “Circular Economy into Art through Eco-Design” – CEED has the foundation to the European Union directives and Western Balkan needs on green growth and sustainability. “Circular Economy into Art through Eco-Design” – CEED aims to increase competences of youth workers in circular economy principles translated in eco-design, crafting skill and foster their entrepreneurial attitude, know-how to initiate their own start-up business. The total duration of the project is 24 months, composed of two main trainings. The first activity titled “The Circular City we Want” will focus on providing participants with knowledge, methodologies and Non Formal Education tools to locally spread skills and attitudes necessary to eco-design/crafting methods mainly for bulky and electronic waste (furniture, electronic waste, etc). The participants will get information on the life cycle of the products and which are the best methods for re-using and how to deal with. The second activity “Turn Waste into Profit” will involve the same youth workers and leaders who participated in the first project TC, with a focus on exploring the environmental sustainability dimension of Circular Economy business models as well as the instruments and strategy to be adopted in order to employ sustainability instruments/approaches to lower the environmental impact of rural and urban business and communities as well as to open innovative market niches in the recycling industry. Other activities will take place as local events/workshops where young people will realize artistic products and promote sustainability principles through circular economy components.At the end the young workers will gain competences on creating new green business opportunities through recycling and eco-design.