Torsten Woellert, Adviser on Energy, Environment and Climate at the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, noted:

“Ukraine is currently at a critical stage – rebuilding during wartime while simultaneously advancing toward EU membership. This challenge also presents an opportunity: the circular economy. As a global leader in circular economy policy, the EU provides Ukraine with technical assistance to develop a draft Circular Economy Strategy – a transformative roadmap that combines resilience and recovery with EU integration and global sustainable development goals. The work of EU4Green Recovery East has significant potential to support the implementation of this Strategy.”

Stephan Sicars highlighted that industrial modernization today is directly linked to resource efficiency, international cooperation, and the implementation of circular economy principles.

The event brought together more than 150 representatives of the private sector, industry associations, government institutions, academia, international organizations, and the expert community. Participants were introduced to the methodology and results of the sectoral screening analysis conducted within the project and discussed how circular economy approaches can contribute to more efficient resource use, waste reduction, and the creation of new economic opportunities in Ukraine’s recovery process.

During the event, experts presented:

• The current state of circular economy development in Ukraine;
• The areas of work under the EU4Green Recovery East programme;
• The results of sector analysis and prioritization;
• Digital tools for implementing circular solutions;
• Aproaches to value chain analysis, including stakeholder engagement.

Special attention was paid to sectors with the highest potential for implementing circular approaches. Based on preliminary consultations, the following priority sectors were identified:

• Agri-food sector and food processing;
• Construction sector, including demolition waste;
• Textile sector.

Participants also joined an interactive discussion and provided recommendations for the programme’s further activities. These proposals will help define the directions for the next phase, including detailed value chain mapping and the development of practical circular economy solutions for Ukraine.

About EU4Green Recovery East

EU4Green Recovery East is a regional initiative supporting Eastern Partnership countries in their transition toward a green and competitive economy. The programme is funded by the European Union with a budget of EUR 21.3 million for 2025-2028.

The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of Expertise France, International Office for Water, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and Environment Agency Austria.
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