CEWG Workshops Georgia - BSB-CIRCLECON

Workshop “The concept of a new model for environmental education” of the project with title “Knowing Circular Economy in Black Sea Basin “with number 1021 and with the acronym “BSB-CIRCLECON “was organized online on 22 December 2021, by the International Centre for Social Research and Policy Analysis (ICSRPA).

The Project aims at promoting CE model in Black Sea basin to help Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Turkey and Ukraine accelerate transition to a resource-efficient and regenerative circular economy contributing to regional competitiveness, innovation and economic growth, employment and value added across sectors, sustainable development and social welfare. It introduces a new way of regional working comprising a series of high-level technical meetings, two in each partner area to promote and set the basis for implementing policies under the broad banner of circular economy. These missions aim to build bridges between the European institutions and the project’s beneficiaries and stakeholders. The project is focused on awareness raising and knowledge transfer at local, regional and national level, through providing promotional campaigns, education and research activities in each partner territory.

The aim of the workshop was to promote and set the basis for implementing policies under the broad banner of circular economy.

The workshop was attended by 32 representatives of target groups.

The number of registered participants in the course via Zoom Registration Form includes 37 persons, coming from different areas/target groups:

National / Regional / Local Authorities and regional agencies	18
Infrastructure and public service providers	1
Interest groups including NGO’s	8
Higher education and Research, Training Centers	2
Business Support Organisations, SMEs, enterprises	3
TOTAL NUMBER:	32

Workshop Agenda & Content included:

The participants offered in-depth discussion and exchange on EU principles and latest reviews, outlined the coherence with ENI and BSB strategies and presented them to the Georgian Authorities initiatives.

The Workshop started with the opening speeche of the Dr. Michael A. RUPP– Principal Administrator, DG NEAR – Eastern Partnership, C.1. Team leader Georgia, European Commission. The workshop continued with the presentation of the EU funded initiatives in Georgia in terms of Environment and Circular Economy by Mr.Alexandre Darras – Attaché, Sector Coordinator Connectivity, Energy, Environment & Climate change, EU Delegation to Georgia. The event was followed with the speech of Mr. David Bujiashvili– Director of the EU Assistance Coordination and Sectorial Integration Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU Assistance Coordination and Sectorial Integration Department, presenting Black Sea Programme and examples of our 8 years successful cooperation within the programme to the audience. Workshop continued with the speech of Mr. Alverd Chankseliani-Head of the Waste and Chemicals Management Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, who presented the work of MEPA with regard to the CE in Georgia. Event was followed with the presentation of the key note speaker of the workshop Mr. George Kremlis– Honorary Director of the European Commission for circular economy, Non-Paid Principal Advisor to the Greek Prime Minister on energy, climate, environment and circular economy, who provided concrete recommendations, thoughts and examples of the CE development in Georgia and possibilities of cooperation of the Black Sea Area countries. Workshop continued with speech of Dr. Dariusz Edward Prasek – International Expert in environmental, social and governance areas and Circular Economy, member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, former Director of Operations in Environmental and Sustainability Department of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Team leader of the projects: “To Map Circular Economy in Georgia” and “Circular Economy Programme in Georgia”, presenting the work he is conducting in Georgia in terms of Circul Economy. The workshop was followed with the questions and remarks by the participants. The event was closed with expression of the stakeholders and target groups of readiness and interest to cooperate and engage in project actively.

Conclusions

The workshop generated some good input and detected the challenges, for example the collection of waste, contamination, and the scarcity of financial resources. Several positive things were brought to the surface as well, including the readiness of the Georgian government to support CE initiatives, and tackling initiatives in a collaborative way, with stakeholders working well together.

The role of public authorities and civil society was also mentioned, noting the lead role of the former, and the benefit of greater inclusion of civil society.
Offering education and promotion programs to enhance public awareness
Developing circular economy-related incentives to drive behavior change for consumers and businesses

CEWG Workshop II

on 23 December 2021
On-line session

of the project entitled «Knowing Circular Economy in Black Sea Basin»

BSB-CIRCLECON

Description:

Workshop “The concept of a new model for environmental education” of the project with title “Knowing Circular Economy in Black Sea Basin “with number 1021 and with the acronym “BSB-CIRCLECON “was organized online on 23 December 2021, by the International Centre for Social Research and Policy Analysis (ICSRPA).

The aim of the workshop was to promote and set the basis for implementing policies under the broad banner of circular economy.

The workshop was attended by 20 representatives of target groups.

The number of registered participants in the course via Zoom Registration Form includes 37 persons, coming from different areas/target groups:

National / Regional / Local Authorities and regional agencies	6
Infrastructure and public service providers	1
Interest groups including NGO’s	9
Higher education and Research, Training Centers	1
Business Support Organisations, SMEs, enterprises	3
TOTAL NUMBER:	20

Workshop Agenda & Content included:

The speakers outlined the basics of the project BSB1021 and the opportunities for Georgian businesses and society derived from the Circular Economy. The local representatives had the opportunity to get details about the EU priorities and presented their current situation and challenges.

Workshop was opened with welcoming speech and introduction of the agenda for the day. The event continued with the presentation Dr. George Ivaniashvili-Orbeliani– ICSRPA Chairman – “Prospects for Transformation to Circular Economy and New Competitive Strategy”. The important aspects were brought to discussion in terms of seeing Circular Economy in broader aspect rather than only environmental issue and waste. The importance of innovations was presented to participants. Mr. Alkis Angelos Stavridis– Overal Project Manager- Presented main aspects of the Project BSB1021 CirclEcon to participants. The workshop continued with the short presentation of the ICSRPA activities & deliverables within the Project by Executive Director of the International Centre for Social Research and Policy Analysis Mrs. Elene Chkheidze. Mr. Nikolaos Petropolous – Chairman / ERFC Founder; made very interesting presantations about GreenLand Project and Synergies: Opportunities for Business. Workshop continued with remarks of Dr. Dariusz Edward Prasek – International Expert in environmental, social and governance areas and Circular Economy, member of the United Nations Advisory Board on Circular Economy, former Director of Operations in Environmental and Sustainability Department of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Team leader of the projects: “To Map Circular Economy in Georgia” and “Circular Economy Programme in Georgia”, presenting the work he is conducting in Georgia in terms of Circul Economy, Dr. Mariam Kimeridze – Chair of Georgian Society of Nature Explorers “Orchis”, Project Manager of Keep Georgia Tidy Project. Director of the projects: “To Map Circular Economy in Georgia” and “Circular Economy Programme in Georgia” and Dr. Medgar Chelidze – Key National Expert in Sustainable Development (Deputy Team Leader), “To Map Circular Economy in Georgia”, GSNE “Orchis”;

Experts and representatives of the businesses, academia and civil society organisations presented their common view, that the more coordination and cooperation is needed. The discussion was focused on the way to creating synergies of the projects and avoiding duplicating of the activities.

The workshop was followed with the questions and remarks by the participants. The event was closed with expression of the stakeholders and target groups of readiness and interest to cooperate and engage in project actively.

Conclusions

The workshop paved the way for future cooperation among major stakeholders in Georgia. The workshop generated some good input and detected the challenges, for example the collection of waste, contamination, and the scarcity of financial resources. Several positive things were brought to the surface as well, including thereadiness of the Georgian government to support CE initiatives, and tackling initiatives in a collaborative way, with stakeholders working well together.

The role of public authorities and civil society was also mentioned, noting the lead role of the former, and the benefit of greater inclusion of civil society.

Offering education and promotion programs to enhance public awareness
Developing circular economy-related incentives to drive behavior change for consumers and businesses