PROJECTS / CIREKON
Projects that build a circular ecosystem.
With partners from Serbia, the region and the European Union, we develop projects that connect knowledge, innovation, business and local communities – from recycling critical raw materials to green skills and national innovation networks.
WHY PARTNERS COME TO US
The expertise partners bring us in for
IN SHORT
International projects and partnerships
CirEkon is a partner or lead organisation in international circular economy projects funded through EU programmes – Erasmus+, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT, EIT Climate-KIC) and INTERREG. Through these projects we develop new skills, innovation ecosystems, regional strategies and solutions for recycling critical raw materials.
EUROPEAN COOPERATION · GREEN AND DIGITAL SKILLS
BuildSkills Academy
A pan-European framework for developing and certifying green and digital skills, with a focus on the construction sector and vocational education.
View the project ↓
The “Academy for Transitional Skills in the Built Environment” project develops the BuildEnrichedSkills methodology, aligning training with real labour-market needs through lifelong learning, reskilling and upskilling. Vocational education and training centres receive support to speed up workforce adaptation to the twin – green and digital – transition.
CirEkon’s role: consortium partner
Programme: Erasmus+, co-funded by the European Union (grant agreement no. 101104419)
Coordinator: Cleantech Bulgaria
Partners: a consortium of 17 education, industry and partner organisations
Period: June 2023 – May 2027 (48 months)
REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM · SYSTEMS INNOVATION
Circular Economy Balkan Beacons
A regional ecosystem that helps innovators and SMEs develop, test and bring eco-innovations to market.
View the project ↓
This international project builds a unique ecosystem supporting innovation and the implementation of the circular economy: it connects experts, companies and cities, builds expert capacity and maps opportunities for a systemic circular transition in business and local development.
CirEkon’s role: project lead
Support: EIT Climate-KIC
Partners: partners from the Western Balkans and Europe
Period: since 2020
CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS · RECYCLING
INNOCAT
Innovation in recycling and reusing platinum and related metals from old vehicle catalysts.
View the project ↓
INNOCAT (Innovative CRM substitution technology for public authorities’ vehicle catalysts) expands innovation in platinum group metal recycling. In Serbia, CirEkon connects academia, local governments and businesses, identifies economic opportunities and builds a market for modern vehicle catalysts and precious metal recycling that did not previously exist in Serbia.
CirEkon’s role: partner for Serbia
Funding: co-financed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Period: 2019–2020
DANUBE REGION · REGIONAL STRATEGY
INTERREG – MOVECO
A joint regional strategy for the transition to a circular economy across the Danube region.
View the project ↓
The project revealed the region’s eco-innovation potential, analysed the state of waste management in the participating countries and highlighted priority areas in material flows. Milan Veselinov, CirEkon’s founder and director, delivered the detailed systems analyses for Serbia and Montenegro.
Role: systems analyses for Serbia and Montenegro
Programme: INTERREG Danube Transnational Programme
Partner: Mihajlo Pupin Institute
Period: 2017–2018
EDUCATION · BUSINESS
Circular Economy Academy
A comprehensive programme educating business leaders for the transition to a circular economy.
View the project ↓
Over two years, the Academy brought together more than 60 business leaders from over 15 sectors and more than 20 domestic and international experts. Participants rated it 4.62 out of 5 on average, and it formed a community of responsible companies in Serbia ready to introduce circular solutions. The programme continues today through the Circular Online Academy.
CirEkon’s role: programme lead
Partner: Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Support: EIT Climate-KIC
Period: 2018–2019
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM · CLIMATE
EIT Climate-KIC Serbia Hub
Coordinating the national EIT Climate-KIC network and connecting partners across Serbia’s innovation ecosystem.
View the project ↓
CirEkon coordinated relations between members of the national network (EIT RIS consortium), partners and EIT Climate-KIC’s flagship programmes, promoted EIT Climate-KIC within the national innovation ecosystem and provided strategic advice on positioning the cooperation network in the country.
CirEkon’s role: lead and coordinator of the national network
Programme: EIT Climate-KIC (EIT RIS)
Period: 2021–2022
Frequently asked questions about our projects
CirEkon is a partner or lead organisation in projects funded through Erasmus+, EIT Climate-KIC, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and INTERREG – from BuildSkills Academy and Circular Economy Balkan Beacons to INNOCAT and the Circular Economy Academy.
Write to us with your idea or the call you plan to apply for. We will assess the fit with our areas – circular economy, decarbonisation, ESG and skills development – and propose CirEkon’s role in the consortium.
EIT Climate-KIC is the climate innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). CirEkon works with it through projects, education and coordination of the national network in Serbia.
OUR NEXT STEP TOGETHER
Have an idea for a joint project?
Send us a call, an idea or a consortium in the making. We will get back to you with a proposal for how CirEkon can contribute.
Narodnih heroja 55, 11070 Novi Beograd
writeus@cirekon.rs
