On February 27, 2026, a specialized follow-up training on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) was successfully delivered, focusing on companies from the food and agro-processing sector. As part of the preparatory phase, RECP assessments were conducted across a wide range of industries, including olive oil production, flour and grain milling, winemaking, dairy processing, meat processing, pastry production, and the processing of medicinal and aromatic plants.

The audited companies included BIOBES and Gjedra in the field of medicinal and aromatic plants; Doci and MUSAI in olive oil production; Miell Tirana in flour milling; Cobo in viticulture and wine production; Lufra and Albamilk in dairy processing; Fix and Hako in meat processing; and Insifa in pastry production. In addition, INCA was audited in the area of rendering and the valorization of high-value by-products.

The training provided practical guidance on how resource efficiency measures can be implemented across different production processes — from energy and water savings to improved waste management and process optimization. Moderated by UNIDO Senior Advisor Johannes Fresner, 16 national experts prepared for the formal RECP certification process, with a strong focus on tailored, sector-specific solutions. The program also supports the Sweden-funded initiative “Business Partnerships and Solutions for SDGs,” aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of Albanian enterprises and align them with European Union environmental standards.

STENUM has developed a two-week course on Resource Efficiency & Cleaner Production (RECP) and Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) for several Nigerian universities and institutions, including Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, University of Abuja, University of Lagos, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Bank of Industry, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

The course is designed for both students and practitioners from Nigerian manufacturing companies and can be delivered offline, in-person, or as a blended-learning program. Its aim is to accelerate the adoption of industrial energy efficiency, improve enterprise environmental performance, and promote best practices in resource efficiency and cleaner production across small, medium, and large-scale industrial enterprises.

Participants gain hands-on experience in mapping processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing measures to reduce energy, water, and material consumption, as well as waste. To support this, software tools for process analysis, audit instruments, a database with over 200 case studies, learning materials, and practical assignments were developed.

All course content is available on a Moodle platform, which participating universities can use for courses with students and engineers in companies across Nigeria. Graduates receive the qualification Certified Professional RECP and IEE Practitioner. The course was developed in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to ensure the highest quality and relevance.

This study examines which technologies for generating renewable energy can be produced domestically by Austrian companies in the future. It focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the national production landscape, as well as measures to enhance innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness.

The findings show that Austria can achieve long-term competitive advantages, particularly through specialization in niche markets, strategic partnerships, investments in research and development, and the development of sustainable value chains. Significant potential exists in the fields of photovoltaics, battery storage, hydrogen technologies, heat pumps, wind energy, and recycling.

Targeted support measures, international collaborations, and the strengthening of skilled professionals are crucial to drive innovation, reduce dependencies, and build a sustainable and resilient industry for renewable energy technologies.

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This panel provides an important platform for Albanian companies in the textile, clothing, leather & footwear (TCLF) and agro-processing sectors to foster strategic partnerships that enhance sustainability, boost competitiveness, and improve access to international markets.

Participants will share practical insights on sustainable production practices, export readiness, and evolving international market expectations.
A key highlight of the session is the contribution of Dr. Johannes Fresener from STENUM GmbH, who brings over 30 years of experience and shares his expertise on successful projects and developments in the textile and agro-processing industries.

At the heart of the session is the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Clubs model. This peer-learning and coaching approach helps small and medium-sized enterprises improve efficiency through structured group discussions, motivating self-assessment, and mutual support.
Successfully applied in many countries, the RECP Clubs foster peer-to-peer networks, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in performance and efficiency — both collectively and individually.

The main objective of United Circles is to accelerate our progress to a fully decarbonised future without waste and with closed water loops. By fostering a problem-solving circularity culture, we address urban waste at its source and across process industries.

United Circles is leading the change by showing how cities and industries can work together to upcycle waste into value-added products. By connecting urban and industrial systems with a set of new technologies and collaborative models (Hubs4Circularity).

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Three Higher Technical Federal Colleges (Höhere Technische Bundeslehranstalten) have now been recognized as “Green Skills Competence Centers.” The GSCC Award was presented by the Ministry for Climate Action (BMLUK) and the Ministry of Education (BMB) in cooperation with the Climate and Energy Fund. HTBL Wolfsberg presented an innovative package of measures.

Jürgen Schneider, Director General at the Ministry for Climate Action, stated:
“Austria is home to top-tier educational institutions, dedicated professionals, and innovative companies that are already working on the solutions of tomorrow – climate action and the energy transition are key components of this effort. The awarded GSCCs are frontrunners when it comes to integrating green skills into school-based education.”

Bernd Vogl, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund, added:
“With a pilot budget of €150,000 and thanks to the close partnership with the Ministry for Climate Action and the Ministry of Education, we have successfully launched a forward-looking project. This initiative impressively demonstrates how cooperation and targeted support can best prepare young people for the challenges of the future.”

The article describes how an RECP program for MSMEs was developed and which methods were used for this purpose.

The following methods were chosen to complement the existing procedures with practical tools:

• • Stage-Gate System – Ensures a sequential, manageable, and resource-efficient workflow.
  • Business Model Canvas – Provides a structured overview of the key elements necessary for a successful business application. Developed by Alexander Osterwalder, this framework visually represents a business model on a single page.
  • Empathy Map – Helps gain a structured understanding of future clients’ needs.

Each method was selected for its specific contribution to enhancing the overall process.

The developed program was implemented in Jordan, and the achieved results as well as the lessons learned are presented in the paper.

The complete paper is available for download here.

STENUM is once again supporting two projects this year to prepare startups in Kenya and India for the circular economy. A specialized assessment framework has been developed, workshops with the startups have been organized, and an intensive coaching program is being offered.

Climate KIC is Europe’s leading agency and innovation community for climate action, bridging the gap between climate goals and their implementation.

Support for Carbon Footprinting, Climate Pact Module, and EMAS Certification as New Highlights

At a celebratory event at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Vice Mayor Judith Schwentner awarded the ÖKOPROFIT seal of approval to 36 companies. Since 1991, this annually updated program has been a cornerstone of the Graz Environmental Office’s initiatives. By offering tailored consulting, cutting-edge knowledge transfer, and regional networking, it helps businesses make their operations more sustainable and climate-friendly. 

A key addition to the program is the incorporation of the Graz Climate Pact as a dedicated module within ÖKOPROFIT, supporting companies on their journey toward climate neutrality. 

“I am always pleased to see so many Graz-based businesses participating in the ÖKOPROFIT program. It’s a strong signal that economic success can go hand in hand with environmental and climate protection, creating lasting value. These companies play a vital role in making our city cleaner, healthier, more climate-resilient, and overall more livable,” said Vice Mayor Schwentner. 

Looking ahead, ÖKOPROFIT companies will continue to receive financial and technical support for developing their carbon footprint assessments. Starting in January 2025, this requirement will be gradually phased in based on company size.

The United Circles project consortium met in Valladolid to kick off an ambitious circular economy initiative, led by CARTIF and funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program with over €20.5 million. The project focuses on waste reduction, resource recovery, and industrial-urban symbiosis to create zero-waste cities and decarbonized industries.
The industrial-urban symbiosis nodes will be expanded over time in a process of duplication and extension to other countries, such as Hungary, South Africa, Greece and the United Kingdom, in what the call ‘mirror demonstrators’. In addition, the organisations within the project, from Slovenia, Lebanon, Austria and France, will promote the possibility of forming ‘seed demonstrators’ to help develop a network of shareholders in order to obtain sufficient investors to start up the ‘Regional Circularity Hub’.

These demonstrators in Spain, Italy, and Turkey showcase circular solutions: a wastewater treatment plant in Salamanca converting waste into resources, a biorefinery in Italy turning used cooking oil into bioplastics, and 3D-printed buildings in Turkey using recycled construction waste. These models will be expanded to Hungary, South Africa, Greece, and the UK.

The project aims to achieve these general benefits:

• Demonstrate that achieving zero urban waste is prossible in a near-commercial scale environment by recovering resources from waste as secondary raw materials to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Reduce freshwater consumption by 50% and reuse 90% of the solid waste from the Salamanca Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
• Create healthier urban environments through industrial-urban symbiosis, reducing emissions, utilizing circular and renewable energy sources, and minimizing waste.
• Achieve European and international cooperation to meet the goals of the EU’s “Green Deal”.