For a cleaner Mediterranean by the year 2020
This initiative is funded by the European Commission through DG EuropeAid.

Horizon 2020 supports the application of Clean Technology in the food industry of Bosnia & Herzegovina

on 16 May 2012.

In an effort towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns, the Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/ Mediterranean Environment Programme (CB/MEP) held a two-day seminar to promoting the implementation of Clean Technology (CT) in the food processing industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The seminar was organized in Sarajevo on 24 and 25 April 2012 by the Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner Production of the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP CP/RAC).

In an effort towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns, the Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/ Mediterranean Environment Programme (CB/MEP) held a two-day seminar to promoting the implementation of Clean Technology (CT) in the food processing industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The seminar was organized in Sarajevo on 24 and 25 April 2012 by the Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner Production of the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP CP/RAC).

The course was part of the broader H2020 CB/MEP effort to promote cleaner, climate-friendly technologies and improve environmental management practices. The food processing sector was selected in response to the capacity building needs identified by the country authorities and the target group included food industry professionals interested in supporting CT development in energy, water and waste processes, materials and products. In total, 31 participants followed the workshop from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the Ministries of Environment, Energy, Spatial Planning, from the private sector, NGOs and academia.

Due to the varied background of participants the course covered all aspects of Clean Technology, especially within the framework of Cleaner Production (CP) and Best Available Techniques (BAT). The European framework was laid out, as well as the relevant policies already in place in B&H. Moving away from the theoretical aspect of the topic, the experts presented CT’s role in increasing competitiveness and gave practical examples of CP measures and BATs adapted in Mediterranean enterprises. To address the increased interest of participants in issues of water management and resource efficiency, the course included special modules in energy and water efficiency, water and wastewater treatment and solid waste management using local case studies of food processing enterprises and slaughterhouses. The course presented an overview of food safety management systems such as HACCP and ISO 22000. Finally, a study visit was organized to a local company adopting Clean Technology principles.

The workshop managed to convey the importance and applicability of the concepts and enhanced the national skills base through the introduction of new technologies reducing the environmental impact of productive activities while increasing the competitiveness of the local businesses.