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 Kosovo, civil society and grassroots initiatives have taken the lead in advancing circular economy values, often blending sustainability with creativity and community engagement. A notable example is the work of GAIA Kosovo and similar organizations, which have developed educational and artistic projects that transform discarded materials into useful or symbolic objects.

Projects such as “Upcycling Kosovo” and “Trash to Treasure” events encourage young people and artists to collect, repurpose, and exhibit waste materials—turning garbage into functional furniture, decorative art, and community installations. These efforts are more than symbolic: they stimulate local awareness about waste reduction, challenge consumer habits, and promote resource efficiency.

In many cases, these activities are carried out in collaboration with schools, youth centers, and environmental organizations, creating a strong participatory element. They serve as platforms for educating the public, particularly younger generations, about the importance of rethinking waste and embracing sustainable alternatives.

While Kosovo still faces systemic challenges in municipal waste collection, sorting, and recycling, such artistic and educational upcycling initiatives play a valuable role in catalyzing public discourse and demonstrating that circular thinking can start small—and grow through creativity, cooperation, and civic engagement.

Some of these efforts align with broader national priorities outlined in the Kosovo Environmental Strategy, although much work remains to formalize circular economy policies and scale local successes.

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.