CommunityRomeMarche region Zero Waste pilot: embedding the path at local levelFrom Tuscany to Marche: scaling the regional model Following the success of the Tuscany cluster pilot, Zero Waste Italy launched a parallel pilot in the Marche region: working with municipalities to embed a clear Zero Waste path at the local level. A key challenge the pilot addresses is administrative discontinuity: when mayors change and political majorities shift, Zero Waste commitments can be lost. The pilot builds institutional memory and community ownership that outlast any single administration. What the pilot does - Works directly with municipalities on Zero Waste strategies and waste prevention plans - Builds local reference points: civic observers, neighbourhood coordinators: to maintain momentum through political cycles - Shares findings with the broader Italian ZW network so other regions can adopt the model What you can do - If you live in Marche, ask your municipality whether it is participating in the ZWI pilot and how residents can contribute - Volunteer as a local Zero Waste observer or ambassador through Zero Waste Italy - Use the findings from the pilot to advocate for your own municipality's commitment to a Zero Waste strategy Why it matters The biggest obstacle to Zero Waste is not technology: it is political and institutional continuity. Marche's pilot is testing exactly how to build the civic infrastructure that makes the commitment stick. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - National coordinator: Zero Waste Italy (ZWI) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionnetworkpilotregionalplanningstrategy
CommunityPodgoricaCleanupMontenegro: 725 volunteers, 13 municipalities, 5 tonnes removedFrom 18 to 40 organisations in a single year CleanupMontenegro is a national cleanup network coordinated by Zero Waste Montenegro, spanning 40 organisations and informal groups across 13 municipalities. In September 2024, the network mobilised 725 volunteers across 22 cleanup events: from coastline to mountain: removing nearly 5 tonnes of waste. The network doubled in size from 2023 to 2024, reflecting growing community appetite for organised environmental action. What CleanupMontenegro offers participants - Organised cleanup events from coastal beaches to mountain trails: something for every terrain and interest - Equipment provision (gloves, bags, sorting guidance) so no prior experience is needed - A growing community of environmental volunteers across 13 municipalities - Follow-up data reporting that makes the cleanup's impact visible and shareable How to engage - Montenegro residents: follow Zero Waste Montenegro for the next CleanupMontenegro week announcement (usually September) - Organisations: join the CleanupMontenegro network by contacting Zero Waste Montenegro - Municipalities: host a cleanup event in your territory: the network provides logistics support Why it matters Cleanup networks that grow from 18 to 40 organisations in one year are building lasting civic infrastructure. Montenegro's CleanupMontenegro demonstrates that a zero waste movement can scale through peer-to-peer network growth rather than top-down institutional mandate. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Zero Waste Montenegro - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncleanupvolunteersnetworknationalcoastal
CommunityFlorenceTuscany Zero Waste pilot: 51 municipalities mapping the path togetherA regional network learning from each other Since early 2023, Zero Waste Italy has run a pilot programme with 51 Zero Waste municipalities across Tuscany, supporting them to share knowledge, map obstacles, and strengthen the collective path toward Zero Waste certification. The pilot is designed to understand, at scale: what works and what holds municipalities back, so that ZWI can improve its support model for Italy's 340-city network. What the pilot does - Maps current separate collection rates, infrastructure gaps, and political barriers across all 51 municipalities - Facilitates peer learning between municipalities that are ahead and those still building momentum - Produces findings ZWI uses to improve national network support tools How to get involved - If you live in Tuscany, check whether your municipality is part of the pilot and attend any public open days or consultations on waste reduction targets - Contact Zero Waste Italy if your municipality wants to join the regional network Why it matters Supporting 340 municipalities individually is unsustainable. Regional cluster pilots like Tuscany's are how Italy's ZW movement scales its expertise: making every community in the network stronger. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - National coordinator: Zero Waste Italy (ZWI) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionnetworkpilotcircularregionaleducation
CommunityAmsterdamJoin the European Rewilding NetworkConnect with 100+ field rewilding initiatives The European Rewilding Network (ERN) links action-focused projects across 30+ countries so members swap know-how on species comebacks, community engagement, and natural grazing. What you can do - Explore members on the ERN map and list - If you run a long-term rewilding initiative, apply via the network application form (contact ern@rewildingeurope.com) - Attend Rewilding Intros webinars and member exchanges listed on Rewilding Europe's channels What members gain - Peer connections across Europe, quarterly ERN Updates, and promotion through Rewilding Europe communications - Access to facilities such as the Natural Grazing Facility and European Wildlife Comeback Fund when criteria are met Why it matters Landscape-scale change spreads faster when practitioners learn from each other's wins and honest failures. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: European Rewilding Network · Rewilding Europe. Photo: Rewilding Europe / wildlife comeback programme imagery (all rights reserved; editorial repost).ERNnetworkrewildingEuropeexchangeEU
CommunityBarcelonaBarcelona Zero Waste Observatory: residents and experts shaping city policyA city advisory body where zero waste is built in public The Barcelona Zero Waste Observatory is an advisory body created by Barcelona City Council to bring together Zero Waste experts, civil society organisations, and community representatives who drive the zero waste movement in the city. Rezero: the Catalan Zero Waste organisation is one of the founding participants. The Observatory coordinates communication between the City Council and the entities running projects on the ground, giving residents and advocates a direct channel into municipal decision-making. What the Observatory does - Brings together 20+ organisations working on waste reduction, reuse, and circular economy in Barcelona - Serves as the official advisory body to the city on Zero Waste policy and plans - Facilitates joint projects: from school food surplus management to plastic-free market studies - Publishes findings and recommendations publicly How to get involved - Follow Rezero for Observatory updates and public consultation opportunities - Attend open events where Observatory members present findings to Barcelona residents - If you run a Zero Waste initiative in Barcelona, contact Rezero about joining the Observatory network Why it matters Cities that embed civil society into policy structures tend to make stronger and longer-lasting zero waste commitments. The Barcelona Observatory is a governance model other European cities are watching closely. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Rezero: rezero.cat - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionobservatoryadvocacypolicynetwork
