Waste and food residues to alternative value for Energy - WAVE

Donor:European Union
Partners:Future Systems Hub, EU Center Association, City of Šabac, City of Otok
Beneficiaries:The project beneficiaries are agricultural producers, the food production and processing sector, public utility companies and waste management operators, public institutions, the food retail and distribution sector, the HoReCa sector, as well as local communities and citizens.
Implementation Period:July 2026 – July 2028

The project was launched with the aim of improving food waste management practices and developing sustainable solutions for renewable energy production, while fostering cooperation in the cross-border region of Croatia and Serbia.

Large quantities of food waste represent a significant environmental, economic, and social challenge, making it necessary to develop models that enable waste reduction, more efficient use of resources, and its valorization as a potential source of energy.

The project focuses on establishing more efficient organizational models for the management of food surpluses and food waste. Through cross-border cooperation and the engagement of relevant stakeholders, the project contributes to the creation of more sustainable solutions that can improve the quality of life in local communities and serve as an example of good practice in the field of sustainable management.

Objectives and Results:
The objective of the project is the development and implementation of innovative models and solutions for more efficient food waste management, supported by digital tools and sustainable energy solutions. Within the project, an analysis of the current situation will be conducted, along with the mapping of relevant stakeholders, food waste generators, and their capacities, which will provide the basis for the development of a joint food waste management model in the cross-border area.

Through pilot activities, solutions for utilizing food waste in renewable energy production will be tested, while the development of a digital platform will enable more efficient connection of key stakeholders, monitoring of food surplus flows, and improvement of food waste management processes. The project will contribute to strengthening the circular economy, more efficient use of resources, and the implementation of sustainable solutions in local communities.

Key project activities include:

• conducting an analysis of the current situation, mapping relevant stakeholders, and assessing capacities in the field of food waste management;
• developing and piloting solutions for more efficient use of food waste for the production of sustainable renewable energy;
• enhancing the capacities of public utility companies in Šabac and Otok for the implementation of the developed solutions;
• developing a digital platform for more efficient management of food surpluses and food waste;
• informing, educating, and raising awareness about the potential of food waste as an energy source.