Across the Western Balkans, the transition to a circular economy is slowly taking shape through a diverse range of initiatives—some led by local governments, others by civil society, businesses, or international donors. While challenges like political instability, weak infrastructure, and limited public awareness persist, concrete efforts are emerging to promote sustainable waste management, resource efficiency, and community-based innovation. These short articles highlight examples from each country in the region, showcasing early steps toward circular practices that hold the potential to inspire broader transformation. We also invite our audience to share stories and information about other good examples they know of.
In Montenegro, the promotion of composting and local circular economy practices has started to take root, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. One notable initiative is the community composting pilot in Danilovgrad, developed with the support of the UNDP and the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism. This pilot aims to reduce the amount of organic waste ending up in landfills by creating decentralized composting points in partnership with local households and farmers.
Educational outreach and hands-on training have played a significant role in engaging the public. Citizens were provided with compost bins and guidance on how to manage organic household waste efficiently. The goal is not only to reduce landfill pressure but also to promote the use of nutrient-rich compost in local agriculture, thereby closing the loop between food waste and food production.
At the national level, Montenegro’s Waste Management Plan (2022–2026) includes composting and biological treatment as strategic priorities. However, as noted in an analysis by the European Environment Agency (EEA), implementation remains limited, and waste separation rates are still low.
In addition to composting, civil society groups such as Zero Waste Montenegro have been actively working to promote plastic reduction, responsible consumption, and better recycling habits. Their advocacy and awareness campaigns—especially those targeting youth and tourism-heavy communities—help keep sustainability on the public agenda.
Although Montenegro’s overall circular economy infrastructure is still in early development, these localized composting and awareness efforts reflect an important cultural and environmental shift toward sustainability.
Prepared by the GreenCIVIL team, with AI-supported research and editing (ChatGPT/OpenAI), under the LogEx network initiative
This content is part of the GREEN Civil project “Give Me Five!”, within the framework of the Western Balkans Circular Economy Week (May 26- June 1, 2025) under the motto “From Local Fixes to Regional Impact”.
The initiative is implemented by the LogEx regional network, of which CIVIL is a member. The network was launched by the reputable think tank organization Balkan Forum from Kosovo, and with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund from the United States.
