Representatives of the Swedish ‘East’ cluster recently paid a working visit to the Vinnytsia cluster as part of the ‘Strengthening Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine’ (WM4U) programme. The aim of the meeting was to exchange experiences, develop cooperation between communities and develop joint approaches to creating a cluster-based system for municipal waste management.
The event brought together representatives of local authorities in Vinnytsia region, programme beneficiaries, Swedish partners and WM4U experts.
Over the course of two days, participants worked on laying the foundations for the Vinnytsia cluster. The main topic was the organisation of the work of the Advisory Committee and the Coordination Group.
Representatives of the Swedish ‘East’ cluster shared their experience of implementing modern approaches to waste management and explored the possibilities of adapting European practices to Ukrainian conditions. Participants discussed the integration of EU legislative requirements, in particular the development of separate waste collection, bio-waste management and the improvement of landfill operations.
Particular attention was paid to the first steps towards building an effective household waste management system in communities, as well as potential risks.
The Swedish ‘East’ cluster presented examples of inter-municipal cooperation that could be useful for developing a cluster model in Ukraine.
During a workshop, the communities worked on drawing up a joint action plan. They discussed how to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills. During group work, community representatives presented their own ideas. Among the proposals were the development of a separate waste collection system, the creation of waste management centres, the introduction of economic incentives for sorting, and actively involving the public in the changes.
One of the most important areas identified was information and awareness-raising: fostering a culture of responsible waste management should begin in schools through educational programmes, competitions and practical initiatives. Among successful practical examples, participants highlighted the experience of separate waste collection in residential buildings through associations of co-owners of multi-apartment buildings (OSBB). This approach not only facilitates the recovery of recyclable materials from mixed waste but also provides additional motivation for residents, as proceeds from the sale of sorted materials can be channelled towards the development of the building and the improvement of the surrounding area.
During the discussion, issues regarding the development of the secondary raw materials market, and the need for further improvement of the legislative framework were also raised.
The participants agreed with the WM4U experts that results can only be achieved through a combination of government policy, inter-municipal cooperation and the active participation of community residents – addressing these challenges requires shared responsibility among all those involved in the process.
A separate session was devoted to the opportunities for supporting local communities under the WM4U programme. Participants were introduced to approaches to the transfer of equipment and short-term investments, discussed issues relating to cooperation between local authorities, and examined the initial steps involved in preparing local and regional waste management plans.
During the event, representatives of the Vinnytsia and Luka-Meleshkivska local authorities presented their own practical experience of utilising the assistance provided under the programme. Participants also visited municipal infrastructure sites that had received WM4U support, including container storage areas and specialised waste collection equipment.
The event was held within the Swedish-Ukrainian WM4U Programme, which aims to support the development of modern, systemic, and environmentally responsible waste management solutions at local, regional and national levels.The programme is funded by the Government of Sweden through Sida and led by Avfall Sverige and SALAR International.