The project will be implemented in a joint partnership between Smolyan Municipality (candidate), Banite Municipality (partner) and Kristiansand Municipality (partner).

Relationships between all partners in the association will be based on the principles of equality, general and personal responsibility and non-discrimination. The Applicant/Lead Partner is the partner responsible for the overall implementation of the project. Project partners are directly responsible for the activities for which they are responsible. Each of the partners provides a team to manage its activities, according to the allocation in the project budget and the plan for the implementation of the activities. Each of the partners has the right of access to all information and documentation related to the implementation of the project. The outsourcing of the activities will be carried out by applying the possibility given by the Law on Public Procurement to conduct procedures through joint procurement. For this purpose, before the announcement of each public contract, the partners will conclude an agreement among themselves, which will regulate the technical and financial aspects of conducting, assigning and concluding contracts for the activities of its subject. In this way, time will be saved for conducting more public procurements, and at the same time, each partner will have the opportunity to conclude a contract for the implementation of the activities for which he is directly responsible and will be able to control the implementation of the relevant contract.

Decisions related to the implementation and management of the project will be made by a majority in compliance with the principles of transparency and equality.

The project will be managed through two main tools:

Project Coordination Council (CPC) – consists of the Lead and Technical Associate from the applicant/lead partner team who will be responsible for the project as a whole, including any material changes, as well as overall leadership, communication, coordination and reporting.

Project Executive Board (PIB) – consists of the project accountants and the technical assistant and coordinator from the partner team and is responsible for the planning and progress of the work of the respective partner team and the planning and progress of the implementation of the partner's activities. The Project Coordination Board is the competent authority regarding the decision-making processes. Decisions will be made by majority and in case of a tie, the opinion of the representatives of the ISP will be taken into account. All decisions made related to the implementation of the project will be discussed at the weekly meetings and will be documented in their minutes. Decisions related to the implementation of the project will also be made during the incidental meetings and will be documented in their minutes. For each decision, a report will be drawn up with a description of the situation and, if possible, a proposal for at least two ways to resolve possible problems. The report will be prepared by the ISP and will be presented to the KSP for approval. All written documents related to project decision-making will be archived in the project file.

The project envisages the introduction of good practices by the Norwegian partner by using know-how and identifying good practices in waste management processes in the context of circular economy principles. The experience of the partners from Norway will also be applied in developing the Model for generation and trends in waste recovery in the context of circular economy principles. The experience of the partner will be applied by providing methodical and expert assistance in identifying and introducing measures for the dissemination of information and the implementation of information campaigns among the population in a way that, to the maximum extent, guarantees the achievement of the project's goals.

The municipality of Smolyan, in its capacity as a candidate and leading partner under this invitation, has experience in the implementation of the following projects for energy efficiency, reduction of harmful gas emissions and environmental protection, financed by the "Environmental" Operational Program environment":

• BG16M1OP002-5.003-0004 “Measures to improve the quality of atmospheric air in the Municipality of Smolyan“ - the project is related to the analysis, identification and development of measures to improve the atmospheric air in the Municipality of Smolyan;
• BG16M1OP002-5.002-0021 “DEVELOPMENT OF A MUNICIPAL PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE ATMOSPHERIC AIR OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SMOLYAN“ - the project is related to the development of a municipal program for improving the quality of atmospheric air;
• Project №DIR-51011119-9-21 / 01.10.2010 “Integrated water project of agglomeration town of Smolyan” under priority axis 1 “Improvement and development of infrastructure for drinking and waste water".
• Project 290 under NDEF “Implementation of energy efficiency measures in CDG No. 10 “Clover“ and in ODZ No. 11 “Mitko Palauzov”, town of Smolyan, Municipality of Smolyan
• Project “Implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in three buildings on the territory of Smolyan municipality – II OU “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov“, VI primary school and PGCE “Ivan Vazov“ and ODZ 3 “Rhodopchanche”, financed by FM EEA 2009-2014 under program BG04 “Energy efficiency and renewable energy“
• Project “Implementation of energy efficiency measures through the use of renewable energy in three kindergartens on the territory of the Municipality of Smolyan“ for installation of solar installations, financed by FM EEA 2009-2014 under program BG04 “Energy efficiency and renewable energy“
• Project “Renovation and energy efficiency of educational infrastructure in the town of Smolyan”, under the OPRD 2014-2020.

The municipality of Banite has experience in implementing the following projects related to environmental protection and improving the quality of life:

• Project ”Bathrooms – Doxato: “The Green” Corridor of the Rhodope Ecosystems” under the Phare program – TGS Bulgaria – Greece to promote cultural, tourism and human resources in the cross-border region. With the implementation of the project, an eco-path along the Malka Arda river and a riverside park landscape in the village of Banite with a length of about 2 km have been restored. The river bank was cleared of waste, 2 bridges were built and wooden railings were placed in dangerous places.
• THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANITE AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF SCIO, PROVINCE OF VINCENZA, REGION OF VENICE, REPUBLIC OF ITALY, IMPLEMENT EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICES FOR INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES;< /li>
• „CROSS-BORDER CENTER FOR RAISING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF DOXATO AND BANI WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BULGARIAN FOUNDATION FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY”.

Kristiansand is known for being the most bike-friendly big city in Norway, with short distances from residential areas to the city center and a good network of walking and cycling paths. In Kristiansand you are close to everything. The town is also close to attractive outdoor recreation areas.

The municipality has an agreement with Avfall Sør, with Avfall Sør managing household waste similarly to household waste, but with a different pricing model. Waste that is not collected by Avfall Sør through the waste bins can be delivered to the appropriate recycling stations.

The municipality is certified as an Eco-beacon, with waste management, waste sorting and waste reduction being part of several topics covered by the certification scheme.

Since 2018, the Kristiansand municipality has an action plan against waste disposal. The plan contains measures aimed at citizens, the business sector and internal municipal players.

In the center of Kristiansand there are closed waste bins with smart city technology called Bigbelly. These bins are powered by solar energy, contain a sensor that notifies the municipality when they are full, and have an integrated compactor, providing more capacity than a traditional waste bin. Outside the city center and in recreational areas, the municipality has deliberately chosen to avoid placing waste bins.

The municipality is a member of "Hold Norge rent" (Keep Norway Clean), a membership organization that works against litter. The organization organizes annual, national campaigns and clean-up days, involving public and private enterprises, volunteer clubs, associations and citizens. Together with participants from all over the country, Hold Norge Rent has created a mass movement against littering.