Plastic Circular Economy Skills for Waste-to-Wealth Enterprises

ongoing

"The ""Plastic Circular Economy Skills for Waste-to-Wealth Enterprises (CE-W2W)"" project addresses the escalating plastic waste crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria. Generating 8.5 million tons of plastic waste annually, the region, and Nigeria's 2.5 million tons contribution, faces severe environmental and public health challenges due to low recycling rates. CE-W2W proposes a vocational training initiative to empower marginalized youth and women, transforming plastic waste into economic opportunities within a circular economy framework. The project aims to train over 1,000 individuals in plastic recycling, upcycling, and circular business models, fostering the creation of 60+ waste-to-wealth startups by 2027. Key activities include co-developing a specialized curriculum with EU circular economy experts, establishing plastic innovation hubs equipped for waste processing, and organizing hackathons to generate innovative solutions. Industry internships in EU and African recycling firms and community clean-up drives will provide practical experience and feedstock. CE-W2W anticipates significant environmental impact by diverting over 2,000 tons of plastic waste annually, while simultaneously strengthening VET ecosystems and fostering public-private partnerships. Aligned with EU and African regional priorities, the project emphasizes green skills, digital literacy, and social inclusion. By building technical capacity and fostering green entrepreneurship, CE-W2W seeks to create a sustainable model for plastic waste valorization, contributing to both environmental resilience and economic empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa. This Erasmus+ Capacity Building project invites EU and African partners to collaborate in turning plastic waste into wealth and pioneering a circular economy in the region."