1. DIADYMA S.A. (Waste Management of Western Macedonia) – Lead Beneficiary

2. Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)

3. Public Enterprise Komunalec Bitola (PE KOMUNALEC BITOLA)

4. Civil Society Organization for Development of Alternative Tourism – Ljubojno, Resen

The RU READY – Reduce, reUse, and RecyclE Actions for cross borDer interplay project is a 24-month cross-border initiative aiming to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy in the border regions of Western Macedonia (Greece) and Pelagonia (North Macedonia), where recycling and reuse rates remain well below EU targets. By introducing the 3Rs principles – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, the project tackles a pressing environmental challenge while also creating new social and economic opportunities.

Activities will take place in the Municipality of Velvendos (Kozani, Greece) and the Municipality of Bitola (North Macedonia). In Greece, RU READY will introduce an innovative “Earn As You Throw” (EAYT) system using smart bins to encourage households to recycle more by linking their waste disposal behavior to digital rewards. In North Macedonia, the project will establish the first national-level Reuse Center in Bitola, by converting an existing municipal building into a facility where citizens can donate, repair, and repurpose materials and products instead of discarding them. Together, these investments represent a model for waste reduction, resource efficiency, and behavioral change in both rural and urban contexts.

Key deliverables include the deployment of the smart EAYT system in Velvendos, the establishment and operation of the Reuse Center in Bitola, two digital applications that guide and reward citizen behavior, and a series of knowledge-exchange events, workshops, and public campaigns. Eleven public events will be jointly organized in both countries, while videos, podcasts, and interactive outreach actions will promote the benefits of circular practices.

The project directly targets households and citizens—approximately 2,500 in Velvendos and 69,000 in Bitola—who will adopt new recycling and reuse habits in their daily lives. It also involves six organizations (the four partners and the two participating municipalities), local businesses, and public authorities. By the end of the project, RU READY will have trained at least 30 participants in modern waste management practices, created at least four new jobs, and engaged thousands of citizens through the reward system and reuse activities.

The expected results are both environmental and social: the project will reduce the volume of waste sent for disposal, increase the share of recycled or reused materials, and lower waste management costs for municipalities and citizens. At the same time, it will enhance environmental awareness, support vulnerable groups by offering affordable reuse options, and demonstrate that coordinated cross-border action can lead to tangible improvements in sustainability and quality of life.

DIADYMA S.A. (Greece), as the Lead Beneficiary and the official regional waste management company, will coordinate the project, supervise the installation and operation of the smart bins in Velvendos, and ensure the long-term integration of the system. The Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) will provide its technical expertise to design and develop the EAYT system, smart applications, and monitoring tools, while also supporting testing, evaluation, and exploitation planning. In North Macedonia, the Public Enterprise Komunalec Bitola will adapt and operate the Reuse Center, manage citizen trainings and consultations, and ensure its continuity beyond the project’s end. Finally, the Civil Society Organization for Development of Alternative Tourism (Ljubojno, Resen) will lead communication, awareness campaigns, stakeholder consultations, and New European Bauhaus activities linking circular economy with community innovation.