RECONOMY (main phase)

Project description / objective

To enable women and youth, including the most disadvantaged and excluded, to benefit from economic opportunities by increasing their income and taking up decent and green jobs, inclusively and sustainably in the EU Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan region.

View also RECONOMY's Inception Phase (2020 - 2023)

Market systems focus

RECONOMY is regional, as opposed to multi-country and focuses on common issues faced by countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan region, and shared actors that may support systemic improvements regionally.

Construction and renovation

To enhance energy-efficiency in the construction and renovation section:
RECONOMY focuses on improving affordability and access to quality certifications for materials and equipment. It supports the integration of circular business models and facilitates market actors to provide a range of skills at various occupational levels.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)    

To lower the entry barriers for marginalised groups into the ICT sector and to address challenges that impede business growth, investment, client acquisition, and service provision. This will enable broader access to specialised training and higher-paying employment opportunities, while also expanding the talent pool available to employers.

Textile and apparel

To support the textile and apparel industry by promoting efficient resource use and circular business models for increased competitiveness and global market access. 

RECONOMY aims to facilitate improved competencies, business services, technologies, and regulatory conditions, aiming to streamline job access in the sector, optimise material and equipment flow and expand export opportunities.

Waste management    

To foster inclusive growth in the green economy by supporting informal waste collectors in transitioning to higher-value activities - such as smart recycling, green energy, upcycling and repair - alongside assisting entrepreneurs in digitalization and accessing finance for sustainable projects. 

Labour market services    

To support the public employment agencies of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Kosovo to provide relevant and timely services that help businesses and job seekers make informed choices around income-generating activities or job searches.

Digitalization services

To bridge ICT with vital sectors in the region - such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing - utilising digital solutions and technologies to boost competitiveness and generate job opportunities.

Entrepreneurial development    

To address constraints between supply and demand of capital and finance:
RECONOMY focuses on supporting the expansion and quality of business development services such as incubation and acceleration, and improve the capacity of market actors to advocate for an improved regulatory environment.

Programme interventions

Construction and renovation

• Establish national green building councils to champion regional sustainability and advocate for energy efficiency certification
• Provide incubation services for start-ups led by women and youth, and offer training in green skills that are recognised regionally
• Strengthen partnerships between equipment installers, construction firms, and trainers to deliver short-term courses and internships on energy efficiency for women, youth, and marginalised groups, to boost their employability in green jobs
• Collaborate with producers, providers, construction companies, and intermediaries such as NGOs and the media to enhance awareness of energy-efficient products and green career opportunities, with the aim of making the sector more appealing
• Expand employment and self-employment prospects within the green sector by improving networking between skilled workers and employers in the energy efficiency sector through the use of consultative groups, business associations and knowledge centres

Waste management

• Support the creation of Circular Economy Centres to improve waste management practices.
• Help develop a cross-regional platform for networking, training opportunities, workshops and information sharing
• Support the chambers of commerce in promoting the Academia for Training-of-Trainers for Green Managers to ensure regional outreach and inclusive participation

Textile and apparel 

• Establish linkages between sectoral associations, private textile companies and training providers, to provide new curricula development and information exchange around sustainability trends in the fashion industry, as well as to promote the hiring of skilled workers in the private sector
• Foster a culture of sustainability awareness and compliance in the textile and apparel industry by increasing the availability of consulting/audit services for eco-certification for textile and apparel producers. Promote awareness of the economic and business benefits associated with sustainability compliance
• Enhance connections between private textile companies, sectoral associations and government/policymakers to foster collaboration, information exchange, strategy & policy development on sustainability trends in the fashion industry and provide regional networking and cooperation between private sector companies

Labour market services

• Improve private sector outreach for the public employment services of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Kosovo.
• Support the development of digital service delivery for vulnerable groups
• Build the capacity of local staff in labour market forecasting
• Facilitate discussions, networking and outreach targeting the diaspora private sector

Digitalisation services

• Close the skills and knowledge gaps of ICT firms to increase the availability of customised digital solutions for SMEs in tourism, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, thereby strengthening the links between ICT providers and market players
• Support ICT service providers in the targeted sectors to grow, test and replicate inclusive, green digital solutions, fostering cross-regional partnerships and collaborative projects for sectoral growth and green economy transition
• Promote the creation and dissemination of sector-specific educational content, training labs and online products by BSPs, BMOs and educational institutions to encourage SMEs in the targeted sectors to adopt digital green technologies

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)    

• Support collaboration between training providers and IT companies to develop and deliver market-driven training programmes which include soft skills training, post-training employment support, and customised corporate training
• Encourage training providers to connect youth and women with internship opportunities provided by private sector ICT companies
• Strengthen connections between ICT companies and service providers, career centres and start-up accelerators by highlighting entrepreneurship, innovation and financial support to ensure access to digital economy opportunities for target groups
• Tackle the skills gap in the ICT labour market by providing training and certification, creating job opportunities

Entrepreneurial development

• Support initiatives that offer risk capital to businesses focused on creating positive social impacts, particularly those that help reduce instability and foster peace
• Support local government and non-government actors to address systemic constraints that prevent SMEs from accessing financial products
• Strengthen incubators and accelerators to offer impactful support to start-ups and establish global connections, fostering their international expansion and generating lasting benefits within the Armenian start-up ecosystem
• Encourage the formation of business networks representing the sector to advocate for a regulatory environment that supports innovation and investment.

Notable results (systemic change, poverty impact)

These will be added in due course.

[Uploaded March 2024]