From Slovenia to Kosovo: Lessons in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development
Published: Mar 26, 2025 Reading time: 4 minutes Share: Share an articleInspiration is the key to enacting change. In Kosovo, we work on improving the environmental sector and promoting a circular economy and sustainable practices. Therefore, we organised a study visit to Slovenia for representatives of chosen institutions and civil society organisations from Kosovo to exchange best practices with their Slovenian counterparts. Which examples from Slovenia did the participants of the study visit bring back to Kosovo?
The study visit brought together a diverse group of participants from institutions working on sustainability and economic development in Kosovo, from the public, private and NGO sectors.
This trip provided insights into Slovenia’s successful policy frameworks and practical strategies for integrating circular economy principles at the municipal and national levels. It also helped us establish partnerships with Slovenian institutions that lead the change in circular economy practices, offering valuable guidance in adapting these approaches in Kosovo.
In Kosovo, green initiatives are still in the early stages
According to Lendita, Kosovo is still in the early stages of integrating sustainability and green economic principles into its broader policy frameworks.
Our participants shared their experiences visiting various actors who helped shape the Slovenian circular economy and sustainable practices.
Inspired to change the situation at home
Agon Vuthi, from the company Izolimi Plast, appreciated the collaboration with the private sector.
Their effective waste separation also inspired Agon. “A key takeaway was Slovenia’s highly efficient waste separation system, where 70% of waste is sorted at the source, while the remaining 30% is sent to recycling facilities. Additionally, it was remarkable to see how their waste processing plant utilises waste to generate electricity, heat, and other valuable outputs, with only 5% ultimately ending up in landfills.”
“One of the most inspiring aspects was Slovenia’s systematic approach to circular economy education and the integration of circular solutions across municipalities, businesses, and educational institutions. Implementing similar models in Kosovo is entirely feasible, particularly in areas such as green public procurement, vocational training for sustainable industries, and promoting industrial symbiosis—where waste from one industry serves as input for another,” she adds.
The delegation from Kosovo learnt from masters in this field. They visited the NGO Ecologists Without Borders, the Institute for Innovation and Development of the University of Ljubljana, the Municipality of Ljubljana, Reuse Centre Ljubljana, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy.
The participants are already working on a second policy brief that will appeal to decision-makers to implement their suggestions. They will also present their knowledge gained in Slovenia at the Circular Economy Fair in Pristina. The visit offered valuable insights into how other countries promote and implement green while establishing meaningful connections with experts and professionals in the field.
The Circular Economy for Green Transition project is funded by the European Commission Office in Kosovo and implemented in coordination with the Kosovan organisation Green Renaissance.
