To facilitate the transition to a circular economy in Georgia, Batumi hosted the “Circular Business Summit 2026.” The event was organized by CENN with financial support from the European Union, and supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Tera Bank, and ProCredit Bank.
Symbolically held on June 5, World Environment Day, the summit brought together 100 guests from over 60 organisations. Attendees included international organisations, industry leaders, financial institutions, businesses, sector-specific civil society organisations, academic institutions, and experts.
The main objective of the event was to discuss the key challenges and opportunities of the country’s circular transition, as well as to promote the development of a low-carbon and sustainable economy. Additionally, a business exhibition held during the summit featured 23 green businesses and enterprises, showcasing circular solutions within small and medium-sized enterprises to the visitors.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Annelies Vanwymelbeke, Attaché and Team Leader for the Green Deal, Connectivity, and Global Gateway at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia; Nils Christensen, UNDP Georgia Deputy Resident Representative; and Laurent G. E. Nicole, Executive Director of CENN.
"The traditional linear model of 'take, make, use, dispose' is unsustainable and pushes us beyond planetary boundaries. The transition to a CE is crucial for reducing pressure on natural resources, halting biodiversity loss, and achieving climate neutrality. The EU remains by Georgia's side in fostering sustainable, green growth that benefits both people and the planet," -
Circularity is no longer simply an environmental choice. It is a business opportunity. Companies that reduce waste, use resources more efficiently, and innovate their production models will be better positioned to compete and grow. UNDP remains committed to supporting Georgian businesses throughout this transition.
The Summit was designed to empower actors across the entire value chain to connect, stay informed, and accelerate progress toward a low-carbon, circular economy in the country. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the event facilitated dialogue on strategies and innovations to reduce waste generation, promote resource efficiency, and advance circular business models in Georgia.
„Held on World Environment Day, today’s summit underscores that environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social well-being must go hand in hand. For 28 years, CENN has championed resource efficiency and green innovation across Georgia and the South Caucasus, laying the groundwork for a circular economy. Since 2024, with European Union support through the “Circular Cities and Regions in Georgia” project, CENN has further accelerated this transition. Today's summit is a vital part of this ongoing effort, uniting businesses, academia, financial institutions, and local communities to strengthen partnerships and drive the country’s circular future,“-
The summit program featured presentations by international and national experts, interactive sessions, and four main panel discussions where participants addressed various aspects and cutting-edge approaches of the circular economy. The panels held at the summit were dedicated to the following themes:
- Scaling circular businesses – from vision to realisation: funding mechanisms shaping the circular transition in Georgia;
- The future of plastic packaging in Georgia: Turning the next big challenge into opportunity;
- PROs to drive extended producer responsibility in Georgia: diving deep into local recycling technologies;
- Circular frontiers: turning forest resources, textile, and biodegradable waste into circular products
In addition, the sessions explored industrial symbiosis, e-waste management using blockchain technology, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) accelerate circular processes.
One of the highlights of the event was the ‘Green Business Expo,’ where participants showcased sustainable products and circular services. The expo significantly contributed to promoting circular solutions, boosting the visibility of innovative businesses, and connecting them with potential clients, investors, and partners.
Within the framework of the Circular Business Summit 2026, participants were given a unique opportunity to connect with peers, potential collaborators, and investors. The knowledge exchanged and partnerships forged at the forum will lay the foundation for joint initiatives that will drive tangible impact on the country’s economic development and ensure a long-term, sustainable transformation.
"Participating in the exhibition organized as part of the Circular Economy Business Summit in Batumi is incredibly important for our brand. We are showcasing our eco-friendly wooden toys here. Additionally, we use our leftover sawdust to manufacture wood pellets, which is based on the zero-waste principle and ensures maximum compliance with green standards. Events like this business summit provide a great opportunity to connect with potential partners and build new business relationships."
"Our brand’s primary focus is manufacturing eco-friendly toys and ergonomic clothing, using only natural materials. Implementing a circular policy within our enterprise is a key priority for us; that is why we create new products from the waste generated during production. We believe that resource efficiency is essential not only for environmental reasons but also for our company's development and the well-being of our customers."
The “Circular Business Summit 2026” was part of the ongoing, EU-supported project “Circular Cities and Regions in Georgia.” The event was conducted with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the “Green Caucasus” project supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and the EU-funded project “Georgia Goes Green.” Terabank and ProCredit Bank served as partners of the summit.
About the European Union
For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation, and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/
About the project
The EU-funded four-year initiative “Circular Cities and Regions in Georgia: Building Local Capacities to Advance Waste Prevention and Circular Economy in the Regions of Georgia” is implemented by CENN in partnership with ICLEI Europe. This initiative aims to foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and environmentally resilient future for Georgia by promoting resource efficiency, sustainable consumption, and production practices, while significantly reducing waste generation in the Kakheti region and the Adjara Autonomous Republic (AR).
This material has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CENN and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
