INTERREG EUROPE

About the project

OptiWaMag project – Optimization of waste management in urban spaces and in households – is an interregional cooperation project for the policy improvement of the resource-efficient economy.

The project is made possible by the financial support from the European Union – the Interreg Europe programme and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Interreg Europe programme helps regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policies.

The overall objective of OptiWaMag is the identification, analysis, dissemination and the transfer of good practices and policy experiences into the relevant Structural Funds programmes, and also the improvement and implementation of the regional policies and programmes. It aims to demonstrate how the development of the current waste infrastructure and the recently used waste management practices in urban spaces and in households can deliver sustainable, smart and inclusive growth through the exchange of good practice.

The project focuses on innovation of waste management in urban spaces and in households. The project supports waste infrastructure, develops awareness of waste collection and improves the well-being of citizens.

Europe faces major challenges in waste management due to high population density and growth in waste generation. Moreover the increased economic activities and growth in the tourism sector lead to increase of waste generation. The resource efficiency and proactive use of resource-efficient economy have the ability to contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion by improving the lives of people regardless of income, background or status.

The project involves 6 EU regions with a shared ambition to accelerate the scaling up of waste management innovation that can support active and innovative environment and resource efficiency and secure the triple win of economic growth, more sustainable ecosystem services and improved wellbeing of Europe’s citizens.

Six partners from Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Sweden have launched the OptiWaMag project. The partnership is led by the County Administrative Board of Östergötland from Sweden. The project will last for 3.5 years (August 2019 – January 2023).

Project implementation from Latvia is provided by the Institute of the Civil Engineering and Real Estate Economics of Riga Technical University.