On Thursday, March 25, 2021, the Center for Economic Research of the Institute of Social Sciences organized an online panel “CIRCULAR ECONOMY – the change has begun.” The aim of the panel was to develop dialogue and improve cooperation between all stakeholders (public administration, economy, scientific community, civil sector) in the direction of transition from linear to CE.
The first session was dedicated to creating systemic preconditions for the application of the CE concept, and the panelists were: Aleksandra Vučinić (Ministry of Environmental Protection), Ladeja Godina Košir (European Platform for Circular Economy), Nenad Milivojević (Ministry of Economy), Jana Pavlović (Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities), Siniša Mitrović (Chamber of Commerce of Serbia) and Slobodan Krstović (NALED). In the second session were presented the successful examples of CE, and the panelists were: Olivera Zurovac Kuzman (OSCE), Ana Seke (UNDP), Darko Budeč (BUCK), Nikola Stanojević (White Lemur), Marija Pantelić (Bosis), Marija Blagojević (Kosjerka Cooperative) and Milan Veselinov (Cirekon).
It was concluded that the implementation of CE requires a systemic framework, but also a coordinated role of all stakeholders to develop demand and supply (green procurement, economic support in selected sectors, growth of domestic supply), improve education and promotion of good practice. The importance of CE for the environment, innovation, and economic growth was pointed out. This topic will be the basis for future research of the Institute of Social Sciences, as a form of improving the conditions for sustainable development in Serbia.
