The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, in cooperation with TAIEX, is organising the conference “Localising the Circular Economy Concept” on Tuesday, 17 December, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Hotel Splendid in Budva, with opening remarks by the Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities Mišele Manojlović and the State Secretary at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Nenada Vitomirovića.
10:45–11:30 – A panel discussion on “Rain Gardens” for sustainable stormwater management – Presentation of a good practice example from Croatia
Speakers: Tanja Uzelac and Bruno Juričić, Starum d.o.o., Croatia (online)
12:00–12:45 Topic: The Path towards a Circular Economy
The term “circular economy” has different meanings, and the aim of this session is to establish a common understanding of the circular economy (CE) model among workshop participants by presenting the concept and illustrating it through concrete examples.
Speaker Sonja Polonijo, Eko Murvica company and expert of the Association of Cities of Croatia for sustainable waste management
12:45–13:15 Topic: Current Situation in Montenegro
- Measures and activities of the Ministry of Economic Development for the introduction of circular economy principles
- Measures and activities of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development for the introduction of circular economy principles
Speakers: Sanja Varajić, Adviser and Coordinator of the Working Group for the Implementation of the Circular Transition Strategy, Ministry of Economic Development.
Brankica Cmiljanović, Head of the Directorate for Environmental Improvement, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development
14:30–15:00 Topic: Empowering the Economy to Adopt Circular Economy Principles
- Experiences of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro’s Hub
- Preparing Montenegrin Businesses for the Circular Economy
Speaker Milena Rmuš, Secretary of the Association Board for Public Utility Services at the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro
15:00–15:45 Topic: Circular Economy Principles for Energy Self-Sufficient Wastewater Treatment Plants
- EU Energy Efficiency Requirements
- Benefits of Energy-Efficient Plants
- Examples of Good Practice from Croatia
Speaker Zoran Mamić, Technical Director of Žrnovnica Water Utility, Crikvenica Vinodol
16:15–17:00 Topic: Biowaste Management as the Easiest Way to Achieve Separate Waste Collection Targets at the Local Level
- Benefits, Challenges and How to Improve System Sustainability
- Achieving separate waste collection targets is not possible without biowaste management (food and green waste), while applying the proximity principle to biowaste treatment enables local authorities to control costs.
- The aim of this session is to explain the different options for biowaste treatment in relation to the characteristics of local government units.
Speaker Sonja Polonijo, Eko Murvica company and expert of the Association of Cities of Croatia for sustainable waste management
The conference is organised within the framework of TAIEX strategic support to local authorities. The aim of the workshop is to familiarise local self-government units (LSGs) in Montenegro with the concept of the circular economy, as well as with the role and interests of LSGs in the transition from a linear to a circular model of the local economy, including examples of good practice at the local level from EU countries.
The conference is open to the public, both during the opening session and throughout the entire event.
