INTERREG EUROPE

OptiWaMag

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.

What policy instruments does the project address in Latvia?

The Latvian single multi-fund Operational Programme ”Growth and Employment” (OP) aims at achieving key national development priorities along with the “Europe 2020” objectives. By combining support from the ERDF, ESF and the Cohesion Fund, the OP will provide a significant support to the economic growth and employment, with a particular focus on the competitiveness of Latvia’s economy. Within the OptiWaMag project the OP focuses on the priority axis 5: 14.1 % of the OP allocation will be dedicated to environment, sustainable use of natural resources and adaptation to climate change, which corresponds to the investment priority 5.2. and to the specific objective 5.2.1.: to increase the ratio of waste to be recycled and recovered of the total amount of waste produced in the respective year from 34.97 % in 2012 to 59 % in 2020.

The main outputs of the project

OptiWaMag’s approach recognizes that effective, innovation cycle outcomes require a comprehensive approach and enhanced cooperation between relevant stakeholders. This will generate better strategies, plans and implementation for invention, validation, scaling up and ecosystem development that, for all participated regions, will lead to: 1) improved delivery of eco-innovation; 2) more effective ecosystems, improved technology transfer and scaled-up; 3) efficient promotion and education program of ecosystems.

The primary outputs include:

The project self, peer and expert assessment tools and findings focused on regions’ strengths, weaknesses, policy priorities and policy enhancements;
A Framework Strategy (6) for developing evidence based and co-designed policies, programmes and implementation methods and for identifying the best method to improve policy instruments;
6 Regional Action Plans (informed by the Framework Strategy, pre and interim self-assessments and Advisory Board case study) to enhance the implementation of regional policy instruments across Europe.

Project partners:

County Administrative Board of Östergötland (Sweden) (Lead Partner)
Region of Thessaly (Greece)
Development Organization (Hungary)
Municipality of Casalgrande (Italy)
Riga Technical University (Latvia)
Municipality of Lousada (Portugal)

RTU involment:

Project Manager
Dr. Sanda Geipele, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Construction Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Economics, e-mail: sanda.geipele@rtu.lv
Project administrative manager
Ieva Ķuze, Expert at the Institute of Construction Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Economics, e-mail: ieva.kuze@rtu.lv
Project Expert
Dr. Laimdota Šnīdere, Expert at the Institute of Construction Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Economics, e-mail: laimdota.snidere@rtu.lv

For more information

OptiWaMag project is made possible by the financial support from the European Union –
the Interreg Europe programme and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).