Belgrade, 2 November – With support of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opened a Public Call for cooperation between science and private sector on innovations that will accelerate the development of the circular economy in Serbia. The aim of the call is to contribute to a more efficient use of natural resources and energy, as well as to the reduction of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Scientific and research organisations cooperating with the private sector or intending to engage in such cooperation with for the purpose of applying the principles of circular economy in practice, are eligible to apply. Circular economy is a principle of behaviour and doing business that allows for more efficient use, reuse and recycling of natural resources in order to obtain new products and reduce waste.

“The Ministry of Environmental Protection highly appreciates scientific contributions already made to the efforts towards the green transformation of Serbian society and economy, including the transition from linear to circular business models and decarbonisation. Science and businesses should closely cooperate and combine their respective knowledge and skills so that this transformation can be quick and efficient”, said Sandra Dokić, Assistant Minister.

“By opening this Public Call we aim to assist Serbian science and business to join forces in accelerating the development of the Serbian economy. Cooperation with the private sector will contribute to accelerating the practical application of scientists’ and researchers’ innovative ideas for a more efficient use of resources and mitigation of climate change. This will incentivise economic growth and job creation, while preserving the environment and the health of Serbian citizens”, said Miroslav Tadić, Team Leader for Environment and Climate Change at UNDP Serbia.

At least 10 of the best proposals arriving at this public call will receive financial incentives for implementation in practice, in the form of ‘circular vouchers’, in the individual value of $12,000.

The application deadline is 1 December 2022 at 17:00. More information on the propositions and ways to apply can be found at: www.cirkularnezajednice.rs.

An info session for all interested applicants will be held on 17 November in Belgrade. You can register via the link: https://bit.ly/3zz5MAk.

This public call was announced within the project ‘Reducing the carbon footprint of local communities by applying the principles of the circular economy in the Republic of Serbia – Circular Communities’, implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP and supported by GEF.