Circular Textile Balkans

North Macedonia and Kosovo face growing textile waste streams but lack dedicated systems for collection, reuse and recycling. Most discarded textiles still end up in landfills, where they are incinerated. Causing avoidable greenhouse gas emissions and wasting valuable materials. Municipal capacities remain limited, public awareness is low, and existing initiatives often stay small and fragmented. North Macedonia’s waste policies aim to improve separate collection, recycling and circular economy models through the National Waste Management Strategy 2024–2036 and related legislation. Kosovo promotes waste prevention, recycling, and circular business models through its Circular Economy Roadmap and waste management reforms, including work on extended producer responsibility for textiles. The project supports these national priorities and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans by creating practical textile reuse systems, reducing landfilling, and strengthening local circular economies.

The project builds circular textile systems in North Macedonia and Kosovo through collection, reuse, resale, and low-carbon processing models. It establishes textile collection points and processing sites, helping municipalities divert textile waste from landfills. In North Macedonia, the project pilots a coalition-based thrift shop that offers rent-free retail space for upcyclers and second-hand sellers. This creates stable outlets for reused textiles and supports local green businesses. In Kosovo, Green Renaissance leads research and testing of new applications for compressed and processed textile waste. Project implementer Local Community Development Foundation (LCDF) develops a reuse-first model focused on sorting, resale, refurbishment and shredding textiles into filling material for products such as cushions and pet beds. Training, school activities, awareness campaigns and study visits strengthen skills and public participation. Municipal workshops and policy guidance help local authorities integrate textile reuse into waste strategies. Cross-border cooperation ensures that successful models can be replicated across the Western Balkans.

This project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as part of International Partnerships Austria and the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).