From ideas to practical solutions: MIR Foundation at the CAROUSEL Project meeting in Podgorica, Montenegro
How can the circular economy become more visible, understandable and relevant to people? And how can promising ideas and pilot solutions continue creating value beyond individual project activities? These questions were at the heart of the CAROUSEL Project Meeting, held from 7 to 9 October 2026 in Podgorica, Montenegro, bringing project partners together to reflect on achievements so far, exchange experiences from pilot activities and shape the next steps towards stronger circular practices across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The Foundation for Management and Industrial Research – MIR was represented by Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska, Executive Director and Emilija Andonova, Programme Manager, who participated in the working sessions, discussions and study activities. A major part of the meeting focused on the progress of pilot activities across the partner countries. Partners shared experiences from Italy, Slovenia, Greece and Serbia, presenting not only achievements, but also challenges encountered during implementation and lessons learned along the way.
The exchange opened a broader discussion on how local circular initiatives can grow beyond pilot actions and develop into practices with a longer-lasting impact on communities. The sustainability of CAROUSEL results was also an important part of the discussions. During the meeting, partners exchanged views with representatives of Montenegro’s Environmental Protection Fund – Eco Fund, exploring opportunities for future cooperation and support for initiatives contributing to the green and circular transition.
Through a study visit dedicated to promoting the circular economy through storytelling and public engagement, partners explored how sustainability can be communicated in creative, accessible and engaging ways. A visit to REMID VIS provided insights into innovative upcycling practices and demonstrated how materials that have served their original purpose can be transformed and given new functions and value. Another inspiring example was “Teodorus – The Guardian of Podgorica”, a public art installation demonstrating how art and public spaces can become powerful tools for communicating sustainability. A presentation for artist Danilo Baletić further explored the role of creativity, storytelling and public engagement in changing the way people perceive waste, resources and reuse.
Partners reviewed overall project implementation, communication and dissemination activities, project management and progress to date, while also coordinating upcoming activities, responsibilities and priorities for the next period. For MIR Foundation, the meeting in Podgorica provided another valuable opportunity to connect experiences from different partner regions with activities implemented at the local level and to exchange ideas on how circular practices can reach and engage more citizens, organisations and businesses.
CAROUSEL continues to demonstrate that circularity is not only about reusing materials – it is about rethinking their value, extending the life of products and strengthening cooperation between people, businesses and communities. The CAROUSEL – Creating A maRketplace fOr Up-cycled productS sEcond Life project is implemented within the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme, co-funded by the European Union.
