“CORE” – Composting in Rural Environments is a project implemented under the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 programme, in which, in addition to the local government of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, representatives of eight EU countries (9 partners) participate: Spain, Germany, Belgium, Poland (Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship), Hungary, Italy, Sweden, Greece. Its main objective is to promote the exchange of experience, innovative solutions and capacity-building of institutions participating in the in the preparation and implementation of regional development policies in the context of bio-waste management particularly in sparsely populated rural areas.

The 3rd Thematic Seminar took place in the cities: Mechelen and Brussels on 14-16 May 2024. It was attended by approximately 35 representatives from the partner countries. The meeting was opened by Mr Kristof Van Stichelen, from the Belgian company VLACO VZW – VLACO NPO Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM).

During the visit to the Belgian town of Mechelen, the various partners presented their institutions, regions and regional experiences in the area of the project themes, including of composting in rural areas. Each partner presented good practices selected by the German ECN/European Compost Network.

At the same time, a number of study visits took place, providing an excellent opportunity to learn about Belgian solutions in the areas of community composting and dry methane fermentation, among others:

– Group Op De Beeck – Organic waste processor, Biogas plant, Organic fertilisers production centre (Kallo)/

– Municipal Composting Area Sint-Niklaas (Sint-Niklaas)

– Neighbourhood Composting Site “’t Compostjen”

– Small Green Composting plant DJ Compost / DiCa Tuinen

– Biowaste pre-digestion and composting plant DDS-Verko

– ILVO (Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research) with soil related research plant and farm composting area

– Closed Loop Gardening demo location ‘Comité Jean Pain’.

The entire event was concluded with a meeting of the CORE project Steering Committee, during which issues related to project implementation, cooperation rules, reporting and billing rules, communication methods and plans for the coming semester were discussed.

On the last day, a study visit to the European Parliament took place.

The event was also attended by representatives of regional stakeholders from the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship, including Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Odpadami Sp. z o.o.  in Promnik and REMONDIS Sp. z o.o. Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski.

The project “CORE” – Composting in Rural Environments is implemented under the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 programme, which is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Polish partner of the project is the Świętokrzyskie Region – Marshal’s Office of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship in Kielce, Department of Investment and Development with the cooperation of the Department of Environment and Waste Management.