In our second Workshop on Lighthouse Initiatives from the Danube Region in Sarajevo three outstanding lighthouse initiatives from the fields of Green Tech, Circular Economy and Circular Bioeconomy were presented and many more received their certificates – recognising their contributions to innovation and sustainability in our macro-region.

The initiatives presented in Sarajevo are as follows:

CCU_Bio, presented by Paulina Leiman, Baden-Württemberg

The Innovation Hub CCU_BIO BW was established to position Baden-Württemberg as a leader in biotechnological CO₂ recycling. Its mission was to support the implementation of innovative technologies in industry, aiming at the creation of new business cases and models using CO₂ as a resource through biotechnological approaches — including the use of microorganisms or enzymes to transform CO₂ into valuable products such as chemicals, materials, or proteins. Presentation: Innovation Hub CCUBIO BW

e-Circular Moldova, presented by Roman Bahnaru, Moldova

This new initiative that is being implemented in the Republic of Moldova and in Ukraine aims to accelerate the transition toward a circular and resource-efficient textile and apparel industry in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. Implemented under the RECONOMY Program, it combines policy advocacy, capacity-building, and digital tools. Presentation: Circular business models and resource efficiency in the textile and apparel industry – RECONOMY Program

Neo-Eco Ukraine, presented by Mathieu Morival, Ukraine / France

Neo-Eco Ukraine is a company specializing in circular economy and sustainable construction. It transforms construction and industrial waste into low-carbon materials for Ukraine’s recovery. The mission of the company is to promote sustainable development through eco-friendly practices and community engagement. Presentation: Neo-Eco Ukraine and VALOBLAST

The further lighthouses in the fields of green tech, circular economy and circular bioeconomy are:

Bioeconomy Cluster Serbia; CCRI Pilot Region Podravje, CCE2ACT coordinated by GENARDO Hungary, GREEN UP HUB, Serbia, Slovenian Center for Circular Economy, ToBeReal, Horizon project with project partner from Slovenia and Slovakia, GreenTech BW Platform, Baden-Württemberg

Priority Area 8 is thanking all “Lighthouses” for their cooperation and contributions to the study and presentations!

THANKS to Steinbeis Europa Zentrum 2i GmbH and its partners, the Slovenian Chamber of Industry of Commerce and Pannon Business Network for their excellent work.

The study and the PA 8 website LIGHTHOUSES – PA 08 feature all 30 outstanding initiatives in the three different fields. All the information about the lighthouses is available here, and each initiative is described in a text with an additional presentation.