A Roadmap towards Circular Economy of North Macedonia

Annex B. Development co-operation projects on the circular economy in North Macedonia

Table B.1. Projects undertaken by international donors in North Macedonia and financial opportunities

Organisation	Project title	Project details	Budget
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (2022)	Regional Solid Waste Project	A country-wide sovereign loan has been approved for the establishment of regional landfills in five administrative regions, in line with the new set of laws on waste management. Covers: reconstruction/construction of selected regional sanitary landfills; and the procurement of bins and containers for recyclables and residual waste, transport vehicles and equipment.	EUR 55 million
EDA – Switzerland (2021-2024)	Smart Packaging Waste Management Project	Supports North Macedonia by engaging with the non-profit private sector packaging recovery organisation Pakomak to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the national packaging waste recovery system through the digitalisation of the primary selection and collection process.	CHF 1 301 000 (EUR 1 375 903)
European Union (2022-2024), funded through IPA 2014-2020	Support in the implementation of the waste management legislation and extended producer responsibility scheme	The purpose of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the competent national authorities for waste management, stakeholders for modern waste management, and the online recording and reporting system.	EUR 1 million (IPA contribution: EUR 850 000, contribution from North Macedonia : EUR 150 000)
Environment Agency Austria (2022-2025), funded through IPA 2021-2027	EU4Green project	The aim of EU4Green is to facilitate regional co-operation, improve exchange on climate and environmental matters, and provide knowledge and technical support to the Western Balkan economies on the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans through greening and modernising the economy. A “Green Business” facility is foreseen for 2024 and is intended to build the national authority’s capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation and provide advisory assistance to the Fund for Innovation and Technology Development for distributing grants to selected enterprises that invest in sustainable and circular business models.	EUR 11 million Of which EUR 10 million from the European Union and EUR 1 million from the Austrian Development Agency
European Union (2019-2021), funded through IPA 2014-2020	Development of the Environmental Monitoring Information System	Development of a National Environmental Information System to improve the data collection process and introduce electronic systems for reporting, which will be capable of supporting the monitoring, processing, reporting and dissemination of environmental data. As of 2022, the National Environmental Information System was enabled and on track for data entry.	EUR 1 369 050
European Union (2018-2022), funded through Horizon 2020	CINDERELA project	The CINDERELA project aims to develop a new Circular Economy Business Model for the use of secondary raw materials in urban areas, connecting different industries, the construction sector and municipal services, decision makers, and citizens. The objective is to use different streams of waste, i.e. construction and demolition waste, industrial waste, heavy fraction from municipal solid waste and sewage sludge, which are mostly landfilled and/or incinerated. The project created a consortium of 17 partners from different countries, including North Macedonia. However, due to challenges in regulatory aspects (certification and technical documentation) and the lack of support, no advancements have been made in this regard in North Macedonia.	EUR 7 596 365
EU (2023), funded through IPA 2014-2020	Preparation and revision of the national waste planning documents	No further information.	EUR 400 000
GIZ (2021-2025), co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia	EU4EG – Promoting economic growth in North Macedonia	The project aims to improve business support services for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and covers the circular and green economy.	EUR 9 750 000
GIZ (2022-2024), funded through the Green Climate Fund	Building capacity towards sustainable human capital development in North Macedonia	Supports the development of human capital towards improved climate change adaptation and mitigation. Aims at mainstreaming climate change in the education sector and boosting green jobs.	EUR 820 076
INTERREG (2021)	A knowledge Alliance in Eco-Innovation Entrepreneurship to Boost SMEs’ Competitiveness “SMecoMP”	Aims at achieving cross-border co-operation between businesses and universities to promote and raise awareness of environmental innovation and entrepreneurship.	EUR 777 355
World Bank (2020)	North Macedonia Public Sector Energy Efficiency Project	Aims to reduce energy consumption in the public sector and support the development and implementation of a sustainable financing mechanism for energy efficiency in the public sector.	EUR 25 million

Note: The list is non-exhaustive.