WE.Circular Project’s First Year Review Meeting and Transnational Learning Event in Sarajevo

On March 26, 2025, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the First Year Review Meeting, welcoming project partners with opening remarks from PhD Vjekoslav Vuković, Vice President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, PhD Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Ralitsa Zhekova, WE.Circular Project Manager, and Amir Hujic, Head of the EU and Projects Unit from Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the meeting, partners actively presented the achievements from the first 1.5 years of project implementation, outlining key milestones and future plans.

The Joint Secretariat provided positive feedback, further motivating the consortium to continue with even greater enthusiasm.

Later that day, the project shifted focus to a broader audience, with a dedicated Dissemination Event. This gathering provided an opportunity to unveil the draft structure of the WE.Circular training programme and announce the results of the Innovation Contest.

The Evaluation Committee carefully assessed applications from across 12 Danube countries, ultimately selecting 36 finalists who will receive tailored circular economy support. An additional 16 companies were placed on a reserve list, with several project partners expressing interest in offering them extra guidance to enhance their business ideas.

The event also served as a platform to highlight success stories from women-led circular businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Entrepreneurs from RCB Production (Recovered Carbon Black), Empress Innovative Healthy Underwear, and Pricha Cool Bazaar shared their journeys, providing inspiration for future circular economy pioneers.

The discussions in Sarajevo were enriched by insights from Hungary, where partners PBN and MGFU presented outstanding support models for women entrepreneurs. These included:

• Design Terminal Womenture – an initiative fostering female entrepreneurship

• Start IT Up Art & Business Compass Workshop – supporting creative industries

• Visa She’s Next Programme – a funding and mentorship initiative for women-led businesses

  

  

On March 27, 2025, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a study trip to the Centre for Advanced Technologies, where participants gained insights into business incubation programmes designed to support startups and early-stage businesses