Smart and innovative solutions for green and clean rural areas in Black Sea Basin

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin

Date of latest update: 2025-03-26

Description

Description (EN):

Smart4Rural project is focusing on enhancing the joint efforts in supporting sustainable development and resilience of rural areas in Georgia, Moldova, Romania, and Turkey by the introduction of modern and smart approaches to reducing nature pollution and biodegradable waste impact and providing environmental protection in the BSB. The project involves 6 PPs representing 4 BSB countries, 3 of them are municipalities of Tskaltubo (GEO), Rize (TR), Ungheni (MD), and 3 NGOs such as the Imereti Scientists Union “Spectri” (GEO), Galati Tehnopol Association (RO) RCSD (MD). The project approaches consist in addressing common challenges that are to be solved by the joint efforts of PPs, and exchanging and introducing best practices of EU countries to make local rural and urban communities resilient and attractive. The communities of participating countries are facing significant environmental challenges that are common and equally relevant for these BSB countries. One of them is the growing rates of municipal waste generation, especially the generation of biodegradable waste in rural communities is particularly high, which is due, in many cases, to high agricultural growth rates. Biodegradable waste is a large polluter of the environment (land, rivers, and sea) and a significant source of GHG emissions in BSB regions. The experience of municipalities of GEO, MD, and TR in biodegradable waste management is very low, waste prevention and reduction approaches have not been used so far. Composting as biodegradable waste recycling approach, has not yet found proper distribution and development, which is due to insufficient experience and lack of information. Through the joint efforts and involvement of PPs, Smart4Rural project is aimed: - To support resilience and improvement of rural areas by introduction and demonstration of innovative solutions to biodegradable waste recycling/composting based on EU countries’ best practices in selected municipalities of GEO, MD, and TR as a way to becoming greener and smarter communities in BSB. - To build the long-term capacity of local communities for the promotion and development of modern approaches to composting by the establishment and implementation of an effective and strong learning and training joint platform/resources. - To increase awareness and provide the behavior changing of representatives of local communities in GEO, RO, MD and TR through the joint implementation of the environmental educational programs, engagement in environment protection activities and improvement of young talents capacities for smarter and greener areas. A unique experience will be created of cooperative solutions to common problems, which can be replicated and capitalized on by other municipalities of the participating countries and other BSB countries. Rural Composting Plant will be established in Tskaltubo municipality, which will be focused on composting agricultural waste. A special building will be constructed for this composting plant, which will be equipped with a solar power plant and where smart solutions will be used for the technological process needs. This will be the first similar plant in western Georgia to provide composting of agricultural waste. A small-scale facility for open windrow composting of rural green waste will be established in Ungheni (MD). Other approaches to community and individual composting will be introduced in rural communities of 11 municipalities in selected countries. The best practices of composting in Germany and Romania will be studied by the PPs and target groups. Also, the PPs will share the experience of Kutaisi composting center, which was created within the project BSB457 Waste Free Rivers for a Clean Black Sea. Learning and training resources will be significant contributions to the project. A Joint e-Learning platform and short-term training course on composting will be established for practitioners and stakeholders which will also be available after the project completion. The joint educational program for schools will be developed and implemented in selected 40 schools in all 4 countries Smart4Rural project supports young talents in accelerating innovative and creative ideas in related project fields and implementing eco-smart initiatives. The Academy of Eco-Innovations will be organized for young talents from 4 selected counties The project provides cross-boundary cooperation between representatives of participating countries, the joint activities will be carried out in 4 countries as well, in particular: - International Scientific Conference “Smart solutions to urban and rural resilience” (GEO) - International conference “Waste Management through Composting: Challenges and Potentials” (RO) - Community awareness campaign “Composting to each household yard!” - Common cleanups, - A Green camp for teenagers (MD). The project activities will be implemented with a view to creating green and clean, responsive and resilient rural areas in BSB

Actual Achievements (EN):

The PPs successfully started the project in close cooperation and the following launching activities were implemented by them: -The PPs' teams were established by each PP and the staff members' responsibilities were identified. -The Project Management and Communication Handbook was prepared with the engagement of all PPs and discussed during the 1st SC meeting in Tskaltubo. -The Project Monitoring Plan was elaborated and shared with all PPs. -The project Steering Committee (SC) was created with a membership of key staff representatives of each PP. The 1st SC meeting was held on September 28, 2024, in Tskaltubo (Georgia). - A Kick-off meeting, attended by the PPs and stakeholders from all participating countries, was held in Tskaltubo on September 27-28, 2024. More than 40 participants were involved in this meeting, which aimed to share information about the project, its partners, and expected results. Information about the Kick-off meeting is available on the project and LP websites and social media. -Launching conferences were held in RO (Galati,13.08.2024), MD (Ungheni, 21.08.2024), and TR (Rize, 10.10.24). According to the Project Work plan: A.1.1: One of the most significant contributions to the project is the centralized Composting facilities in GEO and MD. In particular, for establishing the Composting Plant in Tskaltubo municipality, the LP (GEO) has received the permit for the infrastructure works from the Environment Agency of Georgia according to the Screening report prepared by the LP. The tender for preparing the design and technical project of the construction of the Composting Plant is to be called and opened before December 8, 2024. The PP3 Ungheni City Hall identified the suitable site for the establishment of the Small-Scale Facility for open windrow composting in Ungheni (MD). In line with project objectives, 3 rural communities in Georgia and 4 rural communities in Moldova (Zagarancea, Manoilesti, Valea Mare, Costuleni) were selected for the introduction of community composting approaches. By the PP3 16 composters were produced for the distribution. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ungheni City Hall and four Rural Administrations has enhanced the process of establishing the composting sites in those areas. A. 1.5: PP5 Spectri initiated preparatory activities for the development of an educational program curriculum to be implemented within the project. A survey was launched to identify the needs of schools, involving questionnaires for target groups such as teachers, parents, and students. The survey results will be used to assess needs across four countries and develop the curriculum and related materials, such as guides and handbooks. Additionally, a draft of the coloring book has been prepared, which will be finalized and printed after discussions with partners. The PP2, PP5, and PP6 have started the selection of the pilot schools and discussions with them. In particular, PP2 signed 5 partnership agreements with 5 Secondary Schools and PP3 signed the Multifunctional Cooperation Memorandum with 11 schools in order to conclude partnership agreements for implementing the educational program and the other activities of the project. 10 schools from Tskaltubo municipality were selected for the implementation of the Educational program in Georgia. A.1.9: The local cleanup events were organized in Georgia, Moldova, and Turkiye dedicated to World Cleanup Day (September 20). In particular, - A week of local sanitation actions was held in Moldova on September 17-20, 2024 in 4 urban and rural localities with the involvement of over 800 participants, such as students, teachers, active citizens and people of different ages. - A local cleanup event was organized in Rize (TR) on September 24, 2024 with the involvement of the representatives of Rize Municipality and stakeholders such as school pupils and teachers. A total 108 people were involved in this event. - A local cleanup event was organized in Tskaltubo municipality (GEO) on September 20, 2024, involving stakeholders and beneficiaries. 38 people were involved in this cleanup event. The information about local Cleanup events organized in three countries was posted on the project's Facebook group and website and the partner organizations’ websites. The following activities were implemented for the project visibility and good communication: - The project logo was designed and the project banners (roll-ups) were printed by all project partners. - The Project Booklet and Poster were developed in English and the national languages in cooperation with all PPs and printed with the circulation of 1000 copies of the Booklet and 500 copies of the Poster in each participating country. - A project website was designed with all information about the project and its activities. It is available on www.wmp.ge.

Project outputs: Joint learning and training Platform on innovative and smart approaches to composting to empower the target groups and stakeholders in BSB(EN)
Educational program for schools to promote knowledge and information regarding smart and eco-friendly solutions in the environment(EN)
Cross-boundary cooperation to exchange and promote the best EU practices in the Green Deal for rural challenges(EN)
Long-term cooperation between organizations to promote smart green solutions in BSB rural areas(EN)

Thematic information

Waterways, lakes and rivers Rural and peripheral development Waste and pollution

Priority: (VI-B_BSB_P2) Clean and Green Region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (7)

Lead Partner: წყალტუბოს მუნიციპალიტეტი

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 900887792

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 221274546 | N/A | N/A (EN)

Address: Rustaveli, 5400 Tskaltubo, Georgia

Department address: Rustaveli, 5400 Tskaltubo, Georgia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.tskaltubo.gov.ge

Total budget: EUR 544 724.16

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 490 251.74

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 54 472.42

Contractors:

Name: LTD ,,MAGNOLIA"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 421277683
Name: LTD ,,EDELVAISI-2007"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 221279300
Name: I/E Ketevan Tsibadze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60002000763
Name: LTD ,,SAMNI"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 412677580
Name: LTD ,,LL PRINT STUDIO"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 412780619

Centrul Regional de Dezvoltare Durabila

Name: Centrul Regional de Dezvoltare Durabila

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 912357654

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N/A | 1020620001257 | Fiscal Code (EN)

Address: Barbu Lautaru , MD-3600 Ungheni, Moldova

Department address: Barbu Lautaru , MD-3600 Ungheni, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064363586740

Total budget: EUR 122 198.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 978.45

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 12 219.83

Contractors:

Name: Explore Tur SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0
Name: PA CPI
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0

Imereti Scientists' Union "Spectri"

Name: Imereti Scientists' Union "Spectri"

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 894178011

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 212699864 | N/A | N/A (EN)

Address: Robakidze, 4600 Kutaisi, Georgia

Department address: Akhalgazrdoba ave., 4600 Kutaisi, Georgia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.spectri.org.ge

Total budget: EUR 224 417.52

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 201 975.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 441.76

Contractors:

Name: I/E Irakli Chikhladze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60001117547
Name: I/E Nino Lomtadze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60002005496
Name: I/E David Putkaradze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60001148600
Name: I/E David Shamaev
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60002000078
Name: I/E Luka Tsibadze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 53001059968
Name: I/E Venera Mkhitaryan
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60003002757
Name: I/E T. Gureshidze Lekvinadze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60002019189
Name: LLC Alta Retail
VAT registration or tax identification number: 402033312
Name: Meri Ormotsadze
VAT registration or tax identification number: 60001113744

Rize Belediyesi

Name: Rize Belediyesi

Department: Plan and Project Department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 933706578

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 7350013230 | N/A | N/A (EN)

Address: Piriçelebi Mahallesi, Menderes Blv, 53020 Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Department address: Piriçelebi Mahallesi, Menderes Blv, 53020 Merkez/Rize, Turkey

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.rize.bel.tr

Total budget: EUR 154 606.44

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 139 145.79

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 15 460.65

Contractors:

Name: PLAKET HOME
VAT registration or tax identification number: ÇAYELİ 2390287343
Name: EFBİR BİLGİSAYAR
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEÇİLÇAY: 0690274731
Name: TUĞRES BASKI MERKEZİ
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEŞİLÇAY:1600305586
Name: KARALİ LT. ŞTİ.
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEŞİLÇAY:5170064470
Name: Rize Belediyesi
VAT registration or tax identification number: KAÇKAR VKN: 7350013230

Sub-Contractors:

Name: PLAKET HOME
VAT registration or tax identification number: ÇAYELİ 2390287343
Name: EFBİR BİLGİSAYAR
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEÇİLÇAY: 0690274731
Name: TUĞRES BASKI MERKEZİ
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEŞİLÇAY:1600305586
Name: KARALİ LT. ŞTİ.
VAT registration or tax identification number: YEŞİLÇAY:5170064470

Primăria Municipiului Ungheni

Name: Primăria Municipiului Ungheni

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 911054847

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N/A | 1007601001787 | Fiscal Code (EN)

Address: Nationala street, MD-3600 Ungheni, Moldova

Department address: Nationala street, MD-3600 Ungheni, Moldova

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://ungheni.md

Total budget: EUR 188 247.24

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 169 422.51

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 824.73

Contractors:

Name: Association “Poarta Deschisa”
VAT registration or tax identification number: N/A
Name: SC ”Explor Tur” SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 208805
Name: „CORSAJ-LUX" SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 9501091

Galati Tehnopol Association

Name: Galati Tehnopol Association

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936905832

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N/A | 17590372 | Financial identification number (EN)

Address: Mircea cel Batran, 800023 Galati, Romania

Department address: Mircea cel Batran, 800023 Galati, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.tehnopol-gl.ro

Total budget: EUR 215 465.47

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 193 918.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 546.55

იმერეთის მხარის მეცნიერთა კავშირი "სპექტრი"

Name: იმერეთის მხარის მეცნიერთა კავშირი "სპექტრი"

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 894178011

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 212699864

Address: Robakidze, 4600 Kutaisi, Georgia

Department address: Akhalgazrdoba ave., 4600 Kutaisi, Georgia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.spectri.org.ge

Total budget: EUR 224 417.52

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 201 975.76

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 441.76

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Smart and innovative solutions for green and clean rural areas in Black Sea Basin

Project acronym: Smart4Rural

Project ID: BSB00464

Project start date: 2024-06-13

Project end date: 2026-08-12

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) (EN) | The M4EG initiative supports LA in the EaP become active shapers of their inclusive economic growth and vibrant communities. The M4EG in supported by EU and Implemented by UNDP. The objective of M4EG are:
- Facilitate an active network of LA in the five implementing countries of the EaP including Georgia and Moldova, to learn, test, connect, and mobilize new partnerships and funding opportunities.
- Introduce new tools and approaches to help address the complex challenges faced by LA, and test these through a learning and iterative journey of implementing seed-funds at the local level.
The PPs Tskaltubo municipality and Ungheni CH are actively involved in M4EG Facility by the following project:
- Sustainable Actions for Economic Growth through Tourism (Ungheni CH)
- Developing vibrant cultural and social space (Tskaltubo Municipality)
(EN), Joint Operational Programme Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020 (EN) | Project ”Cross-border Environmentally Friendly Transport Development”, HARD/3.1/11 within Joint Operational Programme Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020, which is implementing by the Ungheni CH, Moldova.
The project Objective: Development of environmentally friendly transport initiatives in the cross-border area by reducing air pollution caused by motorized vehicles and people-to-people contacts in order to increase people mobility and optimized carbon-free transport according to EU requirements.
(EN), The New European Bauhaus initiative (EN) | The New European Bauhaus initiative connects the European Green Deal. By creating bridges between different backgrounds, cutting across disciplines, and building on participation at all levels, the New European Bauhaus inspires a movement to facilitate and steer the transformation of societies along three inseparable values:
- sustainability, from climate goals to circularity, zero pollution, and biodiversity;
- aesthetics, quality of experience, and style beyond functionality;
- inclusion, from valuing diversity to securing accessibility and affordability.
The Smart4Rural project activities will contribute to the NEB initiative through the implementation of their activities in the countries of BSB
(EN), Blueing the Black Sea GEF Regional project (EN) | In support of the Common Maritime Agenda, the Blueing the Black Sea (BBSEA) Program supported by the World Bank and its partners would be aiming at catalyzing blue economy investments for the Black Sea. The initial step of building a coherent BBSEA Program is focused on Pillar 1 “Save the Sea” which is aiming at reducing pollution in the Black Sea. Although the proposed Project would benefit all Black Sea countries through knowledge exchange and standards building, the national-level activity would take place only in the four GEF-eligible countries (Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, and Ukraine) in accordance with GEF policies in the current context of the Black Sea. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 449 659.11

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 304 693.17

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion Two project participating countries Romania and Moldova are the Danube Region countries. Romania is one of the leading participants of the Danube Strategy of the EU. Romania and Moldova are actively involved in the strategy implementation process. Poor waste management is one of the main environmental problems for the countries in the Black Sea region. The Romanian part of Danube is the end carrier of all the waste discharges into the Black Sea originating from the other countries.
The proposed project has linkages with the following Priority Areas:
06“To preserve biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils”; 09 “People and Skills”; 10 “Institutional Capacities & Cooperation”. In accordance with the EUSDR Action Plan, Priority Area 10 addresses institutional capacity-building at local, regional and national level, involvement of civil society in public governance, increasing local development and better spending as well as increasing absorption rates of EU funds.
The project will contribute to the improvement of the composting practice in the Danube region countries. In particular, a new waste management system in Moldova will be introduced, as well as the development of this field in Ugheni and the communities located along the Prut River. All activities will be implemented in Romania and Moldova within the project, will make its contribution to reducing the pollution in the rivers.
The project activities in Romania will be implemented in the Galati Region. Of particular importance are the composting promotion and environmental awareness-raising. This in turn, will make its contribution to EUSDR.
SeaBasinStrategyBlackSea Romania, Moldova, Turkey and Georgia, involved in the project, are the participating countries of Agenda. The presented project objectives and estimated results support the Agenda and its goals, therefore the project activities are ultimately aimed at protecting the environment in the Black Sea Basin, reducing pollution, introducing modern innovative technologies in the field of waste management/composting and promoting the use of energy-efficient approaches, which will also contribute to Blue economy in BSB. The project objectives have links to Goal II: A competitive, innovative and sustainable blue economy for the Black Sea, Priority 3: Promote blue skills and blue careers as an engine for innovation and competitiveness. In particular, in the field of 2) Education, which promotes formal and informal learning, vocational education and training. Encourage life-long learning, including via regional programs.
The project implementation will contribute to deepening regional cooperation and bringing together stakeholders, which is one of the important factors of this Agenda.
Other National Waste Management Strategy 2030 of Georgia
The project will contribute considerably to the implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy 2030 of Georgia. Especially, in the strategy’s Objective 12. Creation and implementation of biodegradable waste collection and treatment systems. Target 12.1. Introduction of biodegradable waste composting practice.
In Tskaltubo municipality, a composting plant for biodegradable waste will be established. The community composting sites will be organized and developed in rural selected communities. The composting facility for biodegradable waste will be created in Telavi municipality also. The Rural composting center in Tskaltubo and other facilities of communities composting organized in Georgia within the project will significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which, in turn, will also have a positive effect on environmental protection and the emission of greenhouse gases.
The project results will be replicable and useable for other municipalities and communities of the country.
Other
Climate Change Strategy 2030 of Georgia.
The Rural composting center will be established in Tskaltubo municipality within the project, where aerobic composting of biodegradable waste will be implemented.
This composting center will significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, which, in turn, will also have a positive effect on the emission of greenhouse gases. Thus, the project will also contribute to the Climate Change Strategy 2030 of Georgia, specifically to the priority of the strategy, such as 4.6 Waste Management and Objective 6.2. Support waste recycling. This objective envisions the promotion of the processing of biodegradable waste, in particular, through composting.
Other Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2013-2027
Introduction and implementation of the modern composting approaches in selected municipalities of the Republic of Moldova will contribute to the achievement of the main objectives of the Waste Management Strategy for 2013-2027.
Other Turkey’s Zero Waste Project
TZWP has been launched by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in 2017 under sustainable development principles that focus on controlling waste and leaving a cleaner and more habitable world for future generations. TZWP increases efficiency, raises awareness of sustainability and enhances its prestige while decreasing environmental risks. Turkey aims to dispose of 35% of the existing waste by recovery and 65% by regular storage in 2023. Municipal waste is expected to recover by using biological methods from 0.2% in 2014 to 4% in 2023.
Smart4Rural project will contribute to TZWP by introducing and demonstrating the biodegradable waste composting benefits and implementing learning and educational programs for the target groups and stakeholders. The experience built within the Smart4Rural project will be used by other municipalities and rural communities of the country.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Georgia (GE), Tskaltubo , Gvishtibi Village, 5400

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 115 - Public events across borders jointly organised, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-03-26

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

32 / 32 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

148 / 148 (100%)

Notes on the data

Programme's page last visited on 2025-03-17.

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Smart and innovative solutions for green and clean rural areas in Black Sea Basin

Description

Thematic information

Partners (7)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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