In Skopje, on June 25, organized by ARNO, the final event of the Circular Economy Academy took place, where circular business initiatives developed by civil society organizations were presented.
As part of the first Circular Economy Academy, organizations developed prototypes of ideas such as: bicycle parking made from old barrels, cereal straws from bio-waste (Slamenka), creative use of waste from local businesses (souvenirs, corporate and personalized gifts), production of liquid fertilizer from tea, eco-tiles made from recycled plastic, sustainable fashion from textile waste, eco-pencils and crayons from waste paper, animal feed made from meadow clover and hay, bio-compost from food waste, as well as an online shop for circular products.
The Circular Economy Academy represents the first comprehensive process of its kind in the country. With 10 educational modules and over 250 hours of mentoring, it provided support for civil society organizations to build their capacities and develop business ideas focused on circular and sustainable solutions. The Academy managed to deliver knowledge and expertise from more than 30 national circular economy experts and to create a small community of civil society organizations, universities, businesses, and state institutions that will continue to collaborate on this new and important topic for our country.
“This project was a real step forward for us. Civil society organizations got familiar with doughnut economics, the latest concepts, gained a lot of knowledge about local regulations, drew inspiration from European examples, received individual mentoring support… We laid the foundations for further development, and we hope this program will help associations move toward self-sustainability, especially at a time when support for the civil sector is limited,” said Marjan Icoski, project coordinator from ARNO.
As a symbolic incentive for future steps, all participants received a lamp made from recycled materials, intended to “light their path” toward further development. In addition, participants planted seed cards with purslane seeds in eco-pots—symbolizing resilience, endurance, and new beginnings. With this, the message was sent that the efforts invested will continue to grow and bear fruit.
Some of the products developed by the teams that took part in the Circular Economy Academy
“The whole process was intensive and filled with dedication from all sides. These 12 associations, selected through a public call in November 2024, received knowledge and opportunities through the Academy to develop their innovative ideas that serve the community. Only 8 of them will receive financial support, but all deserve backing. The transition to a circular economy is essential not only for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also for aligning with the EU’s Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the European Green Deal,” emphasized Sunchica Kostovska-Petrovska from People in Need – PIN.
The Circular Economy Academy is an activity carried out within the project “Civil Society and Youth for Inclusive and Sustainable Development through Circular Economy in North Macedonia”, implemented by People in Need – PIN as coordinator, in partnership with ARNO, Leaders for Education, Activism and Development (LEAD), and Ekovita. The project is financially supported by the European Union through the IPA Civil Society Facility Programme and aims to foster innovation, strengthen capacities, and mobilize youth for creating a greener future through the circular economy.
