Georgia is set to accelerate its circular economy transition through a new EUR 4.4 million initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by a UN-led consortium.
The two-year programme (2025–2027) brings together UNDP, UNIDO, the Environment Agency Austria (UBA), and Sweden’s trade association for waste management and recycling, Avfall Sverige, to strengthen national systems for resource efficiency and waste management.
The initiative targets systemic gaps in Georgia’s circularity. Current figures highlight the scale of the challenge: the country generates roughly 23 million tonnes of waste annually, with domestic material consumption of 13.7 tonnes per capita—approaching the EU average—but achieves a circularity rate of just 1.48 percent, well below the EU’s 11.5 percent benchmark. Key problem areas include packaging, batteries, waste oils, electronic equipment, and end-of-life tyres and vehicles. Infrastructure limitations, low public awareness, and underinvestment in recycling technologies further constrain progress.
A central focus of the programme is the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, ensuring that producers are accountable for waste management while promoting sustainable product design. The initiative also seeks to strengthen civil society engagement, mobilize social enterprises, and foster youth participation, while providing targeted financial support and capacity-building for producer responsibility organizations (PROs).
Didier Trebucq, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, emphasized the socio-economic benefits of a circular transition, framing it as a pathway to greener jobs, cleaner cities, and stronger businesses. “The circular economy is a win for people, the environment, and the country,” he said, underlining the importance of inclusive approaches that balance environmental sustainability with economic opportunity.
The European Union reiterated its support through Annelies Vanwymelbeke, Team Leader for Green Deal, Connectivity, Economic and Investment Plan at the EU Delegation to Georgia, who stressed that circularity requires rethinking the lifecycle of resources. “It’s about creating value while cutting waste—for a more resilient and competitive economy,” Vanwymelbeke said.
The preparatory workshop in Tbilisi on 16 October convened programme partners and stakeholders to align implementation strategies. Discussions centered on infrastructure development, investment in recycling technologies, green finance mechanisms, and policy frameworks to embed circular economy principles across sectors.
By integrating policy support, technical assistance, and public-private partnerships, the initiative aims to convert Georgia’s structural deficiencies into opportunities for sustainable growth. Over the two-year period, the programme will pilot inclusive circular economy solutions while laying the foundation for long-term systemic change that strengthens the country’s resilience, reduces environmental impact, and enhances socio-economic outcomes.
The project, titled “Green, Inclusive and Circular Economy: Waste Reduction and Recycling for Citizens’ Health,” is positioned as a model for coordinated EU-UN action, combining international expertise with national and private sector engagement to advance sustainable development and promote circularity at scale.
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