About Project
The Western Balkans Circular Economy Hub (WBCEH) is a regional initiative established to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy across the six Western Balkan economies. It serves as a central point connecting businesses, institutions, organisations and professionals, fostering regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and the development of practical circular solutions.
Established and coordinated by the Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy (IECE), the Hub operates through a dedicated digital platform providing access to knowledge resources, online courses, practical tools, funding opportunities, events and networking opportunities.
At the heart of WBCEH is its growing regional membership network, bringing together companies, organisations, institutions and individuals interested in advancing circular economy practices. Membership provides opportunities to connect with like-minded stakeholders, exchange knowledge and experiences, participate in exclusive members’ meetings, access expert support and explore potential partnerships and funding opportunities.
WBCEH focuses particularly on businesses, youth and women, supporting their participation in the circular transition through capacity building, collaboration, innovation and tailored services.
Fill the registration form to become a WBCEH member.
Main Activities
Training & Capacity Building – Workshops, webinars and online courses that develop practical circular economy knowledge and skills.
Networking & Collaboration – Regional events, members’ meetings and matchmaking activities connecting businesses, institutions and circular economy experts.
Knowledge Sharing & Information Dissemination – Sharing best practices, practical resources, expert insights and opportunities across the region.
Advisory & Mentorship Services – Tailored support for businesses and organisations developing or implementing circular solutions.
Access to Finance & Project Development – Identifying funding opportunities, building partnerships and supporting the development of circular economy projects.
Youth Innovation & Engagement – Hackathons and practical challenges encouraging young people to develop innovative circular solutions.
Showcasing Circular Leaders – Recognising and promoting successful initiatives through the Western Balkans Circular Economy Awards and the 100 Best Circular Practices initiative.
Partners
Coordinated by: Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy (IECE)
Co-funded by: IECE and RECONOMY*
* RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss
Intercooperation in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan countries.
Other partners:
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia – http://www.pks.rs
- Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina – https://komorabih.ba/
- Chamber of Economy of Montenegro – http://www.komora.me
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republic of Srpska – http://www.komorars.ba
- Chamber of Commerce & Industry Tirana – https://www.cci.al
- Kosova Chamber of Commerce – https://oek-kcc.org/
- Small Business Chamber – https://www.sbch.org.mk/
- 160+ registered members from all six Western Balkan economies including businesses, organisations and individuals;
- 27 online and in-person events organised since February 2025, including 14 members’ meetings, bringing together over 1,000 participants;
- 6 national circular economy roadshows organised across all six Western Balkan economies, attracting approximately 400 participants;
- 250+ circular economy good practices mapped across the Western Balkans;
- Online learning opportunities developed, including introductory and specialised circular economy courses, with 100+ completions of the Introduction to Circular Economy course;
- Youth circular innovation hackathon organised, engaging around 70 Macedonian high-school students and 10 mentors in developing circular construction solutions;
- Two editions of the Western Balkans Circular Economy Awards organised (2025 and 2026), attracting 118 applications across seven award categories.
The Project offer six courses to explore and deepen your knowlege, all available here:
- Introduction to Circular Economy
- Circular Economy in Construction
- Empowering Change: Leadership for Circular Innovation
- Managing Innovation Capital for Circular Business Transformation
- From Knowledge to Impact: Intellectual Capital in the Circular Economy
- Circular Approach to Waste Management
Implementation period
November 2024 - December 2026
Project keywords
Circular economyRegional collaborationSMEsWestern BalkansWomenYouth
