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We organise our actions in six thematic & strategic agendas:
Strategic Agendas:
Bio-economy
Circular Construction
Chemicals/Plastics
Manufacturing Industry
Food Chain
Water Cycles
Seven leverages provide additional support:
Leverage effects:
Lever Policy Instruments
Lever Circular Procurement
Lever Communication
Lever Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Lever Financing
Lever Jobs & Skills
Lever Research
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Circular economy in Slovenia - How strong communities are driving the transition
Monday 25 November 2024
The circular economy is one of Slovenia's strategic development priorities. The theme was included in national vision documents such as Vision Slovenia 2050, the Slovenian Development Strategy 2030, and in the Slovenian Strategy for Smart Specialisation. The main goal here is a better quality of life for all. The roadmap towards the circular economy in Slovenia is a guide to working towards a circular Slovenia, with specific focus on businesses, government, and citizens.
We are happy to share some concrete examples from the Gorenjska region. Among these, it is striking that the circular economy is driven by passionate people who are committed to forming strong local communities. This closes cycles in a way that ensures resilience and longevity. Networks are an essential part of the circular transition.
Kovačnica podjetniški inkubator in Kranj
Ecologists without borders
Organic waste has been collected separately in Slovenia since 2011, while distinguishing between kitchen waste and green waste. As much as 60% of the total amount of organic waste is processed through home composting. Nevertheless, it remains very important to focus on prevention to avoid food losses. The NGO Ecologists without Borders is working on this with their Zero Waste Programme. Under the motto ‘Don't buy what you don't eat’, they organise actions for a circular mindshift among citizens. They also focus on the healthcare and tourism sectors, where they use data to show how big the loss - also financially - is.
Second hand shop Humania in Kranj
By selling second-hand clothing, this organisation wants to extend the lifetime of textile products and give people with a limited budget a chance to buy nice clothes. Besides the shop, they also have a workshop where people with a distance to the labour market process used textiles into new products. This shop opened in 2021.
KRsKoleSOM bike share in Kranj
A bicycle network was established in the Gorenjska region to share bikes and e-bikes. This makes it possible to borrow a bicycle in one municipality and leave it behind in another participating municipality.
Alpine Zero Waste Resort in Ribno
This resort became Europe's first certified Zero Waste hotel in 2018. To avoid waste as much as possible and collect it separately, efforts are made to raise awareness among guests and staff. In addition, the owners choose local suppliers, use natural, local materials and encourage green mobility.
Restaurant Hisa Linhart in RadovljicaThe owners of this restaurant are building a strong community and connecting local residents and entrepreneurs into resilient, circular ecosystems. They offer local, zero-waste meals in a restaurant decorated with second-hand furniture and linen. Their creations are served on ceramics made with social employment and broken crockery is turned into unique artworks by a local artist. They were awarded a green Michelin star and the Green Key certificate. |
Green Bled - Tourist board bledWith 8,000 inhabitants and 10,000 beds for tourists, the pressure on Slovenia's most famous town is great. To minimise the negative impact of the growing flow of visitors on nature and cultural heritage, Bled's tourist board is pulling the sustainability card. ‘Bled Local Selection’ is a seal of approval for local products and experiences. Where authenticity and innovation are combined to give tourists a literal and figurative taste of local culture. Soft mobility, waste separation and ethical tourism are supported.
Slovenia also promotes sustainable tourism nationally, as early as 2002 sustainability was included in the national tourism strategy. In 2015, the ‘Slovenia green’ certificate was introduced to reward efforts in the sector and make it visible to the general public.
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Na Kilo - Zero packaging shop
This packaging-free shop in Bled has been offering products from local entrepreneurs and farmers in a former petrol station since May 2023.
Vocational College for Hospitality, Wellness and Tourism
This college works closely with the local tourism sector. To train their students, but also to identify real circular challenges for research and innovation projects. For example, the students prepared a zero waste lunch as a practical test, also quantifying the economic impact of the food loss solutions used. In the future, the school would like to establish a CE hub as a neutral party. They say sustainability is indispensable to grow the tourism sector while respecting Slovenia's natural and cultural wealth.
Garden of flavours and experiences in Zgorinje Gorje
Mateja Reš, a successful cookbook author, now supplies her harvest to local restaurants and offers experiences for tourists. Various crops are grown on this educational, organic farm in order to be more resilient in the face of adversity. Working this way, while respecting food and agricultural laws, is not always easy. Mateja believes in local connection and common sense - rather than strict regulations - to put the transition into practice.
Thanks to Loes Vandecasteele and Julie Poppe of Stad Mechelen who invited Flanders Circular as a stakeholder at the Interregional meeting of the Interreg Europe project CITISYSTEM in Kranj, Slovenia in November 2024. Also many thanks to Helena Cvenkel, Matjaz Bercon and all local circular doers for the warm welcome.
