JemsWaste and food residues to alternative value for energy (WAVE)
Priority Axis 2: Cooperating for greener and climate change resilient programme area
Operation start date: 01.07.2026
Operation completion date: 30.06.2028
Budget: EUR 946.509,57
Number of partners: 5
Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The goal of this project is to jointly prepare and develop concept model and implement pilot action for creating Circular Economy Communities using waste in energy purposes in cross-border region. Organic waste occupies almost 50% – 60% of communal waste in Serbia and 29% in Croatia, which is deposited annually, could get a new purpose, and extend its life by being used for energy purposes. Most of that is coming as a food – food surplus that can find its purpose in nutrition, and the rest is food waste.
The overall objective is to improve food waste management and its conversion into renewable energy, fostering a greener and climate-resilient cross-border region. Through regulatory analysis, stakeholder engagement, and digital innovation, the project optimizes food surplus redistribution and waste collection. Piloting sustainable energy solutions, equipping public utilities, and raising awareness will drive long-term adoption, reduce environmental impact, and support climate change mitigation.
The main outputs of the project are:
Project will educate target groups about the usage of food surplus and food waste, as a source of sustainable energy, making common practices and enhanced community resilience. Project is divided into 2 work packages:
- WP 1 will put focus on design and piloting of optimal solutions for utilizing food waste and renewable energy sources;
- WP2 will be focused on the optimization and implementation of Enhanced Digital Platform for food waste management and its integration into the developed and piloted solutions.
Beneficiaries:
National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) (RS) is s lead partner in this project. With its many years of experience in the successful implementation of projects co funded by EU funds, NALED shall serve as an important factor in this partnership, and it is expected to greatly contribute to the overall success of this project. NALED will contribute with coordinating the implementation of activities, communicating with partners regarding the implementation of activities, monitoring implementation and reporting about implementation of activities. NALED will coordinate the process of Policy Development and Development of the Surplus and Food waste management models for two selected communities in cross-border region and Raising awareness, promotion, and education on renewable energy.
Future Systems Hub Association for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (RS) as a project partner plays a crucial role in the project by leading Work Package 2 (WP2), which focuses on the enhancement and implementation of a digital platform for food surplus management, and by taking part in communication and dissemination activities. As the lead of WP2, FSH is responsible for the development and optimization of a user-friendly digital platform that connects food producers, distributors, HoReCa businesses, and humanitarian organizations in Serbia (Šabac) and Croatia (Otok).
NGO EU Center (HR) is a project partner that poses a rich experience in energy field therefore it will provide its expertise in this project. The organization will take part in the development of optimal solution for better utilization of food waste and converting it into sustainable renewable energy and in in dissemination, capacity building and educational activities of the project.
City of Sabac (RS) will play a significant role in various aspects of this food waste management and circular economy project. This partner will take part in the process of developing optimal solutions for better utilization of food waste and its conversion into renewable energy. City of Sabac will lead the efforts to equip public utility companies to implement pilot solutions and then coordinate the process of implementation of pilot actions in this regard. Sabac will also contribute to the optimization and implementation of an Enhanced Digital Platform for food waste management and its integration into the developed solutions.
City of Otok (HR) will take part in the process of developing optimal solutions for better utilization of food waste and its conversion into renewable energy. City of Otok will lead the efforts to equip public utility companies to implement pilot solutions and then coordinate the process of implementation of pilot actions in this regard. Otok will also contribute to the optimization and implementation of an Enhanced Digital Platform for food waste management and its integration into the developed solutions. This partner will also participate in the awareness-raising and promotional activities.