The project involves six partners from four different countries - the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The partners are Hydrogen Architects BV (HYARCH) from the Netherlands, Getlini EKO SIA (GETLINI) from Latvia, Ekotikslai UAB from Lithuania, and Tartu Linn (Tartu) from Estonia and SIA Ernst&Young Baltic (E&Y) and Latvijas Udenraza Asociacija from Latvia.

The CERITA consortium has been carefully composed to ensure that all necessary expertise and know-how is available for the successful implementation of the project. The consortium includes a range of partners with diverse backgrounds, including local authorities (Tartu in Estonia), industry partners (Getlini in Latvia), associations (H2LV in Latvia, HYARCH in the Netherlands), and a technology and business development expert (EKOTIKSLAI in Lithuania and Ernst&Young Baltics in Latvia). Each partner brings unique skills and infrastructure to the project, making them recognised experts in their respective fields of operation.

The CERITA project offers added value in regions with specific challenges such as difficulties in retaining and attracting talents. One of the project's objectives is to promote circular waste management practices in the cities of Riga and Tartu, which will lead to the development of new job opportunities in the waste management sector. These job opportunities are expected to attract and retain talents in the region and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce. Additionally, the project's focus on innovation and the use of hydrogen and its derivatives as new energy carriers and vectors will create opportunities for the development of high-tech skills and knowledge in the region. The project's emphasis on economic evaluation and the development of investment plans for identified solutions will also contribute to the overall economic development of the region. Furthermore, the project's emphasis on public awareness, education, and dissemination will help to promote the benefits of circular waste management practices and attract more talents and investments to the region. In this way, the CERITA project offers added value in regions with specific challenges by promoting sustainable economic development and the retention and attraction of talents.

Innovation action is part of following WP:

• WP5 - Assessment of waste recycling (processing) opportunities
• WP6 - Assessment of new energy carriers and vectors introduction potential (Hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives)
• WP7 - Additional activities to reduce the environmental impact of waste management facility

The project focuses to identify existing value chains in waste management and establishing new value chains (like hydrogen). To support the identification and preparation of interregional investment projects, feasibility assessments, analyzed financing structure and legal framework are provided in an established framework cooperation with EEN (enterprise europe network) for support activities.

The target stakeholders will benefit from the CERITA in several concrete ways:

• Waste management companies and facilities will benefit from the CERITA by implementing more efficient and sustainable waste management practices. This will reduce operational costs and increase resource efficiency, leading to improved economic performance.
• Policy makers and government bodies responsible for waste management will benefit from the CERITA by having access to innovative solutions and best practices that will be implemented in their respective regions. This will lead to improved waste management policies and regulations, resulting in a more circular economy.
• Energy companies and utilities will benefit from the CERITA by having access to renewable energy sources, such as biomethane and hydrogen, which will be used to generate electricity and heat. This will reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and decrease their carbon footprint.
• Industry and businesses that produce waste will benefit from the CERITA by having access to more efficient and cost-effective waste management solutions. This will lead to reduced waste disposal costs and increased resource efficiency.
• Local communities in Riga and Tartu will benefit from the CERITA by having access to improved waste management services that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This will result in a cleaner and healthier living environment.
• educational institutions and students will benefit from the CERITA by having access to educational materials and resources that promote circular waste management practices. This will increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of the circular economy.
• Researchers and scientists in the field of waste management and circular economy will benefit from the CERITA by having access to new data, research findings, and best practices. This will lead to further advancements in the field and support the development of more sustainable waste management practices.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and environmental groups will benefit from the CERITA by having access to information and resources that will support their advocacy and educational efforts around sustainable waste management and circular economy.

For capacity-building following activities were introduced: tours, networking and matchmaking meetings, participation in international events, collaboration meetings with other projects, stakeholder meetings.

All project milestones were reached and a core outcome of project is an investment plan for one waste management facility involving regional ecosystem. Currently a follow-up project is in preparation targeting a INV2a call.

• MS1 - Project management structure set-up
• MS2 - Waste sampling and analysis methodology
• MS3 - Completion of energy consumption analysis across waste management processes and feasibility assessment
• MS4 - Assessment of potential for generating renewable energy
• MS5 - Final report on the technical and economic feasibility of various recycling technologies
• MS6 - Technical feasibility of producing synthetic and energy storage
• MS7 - Market potential identification
• MS8 - Report on Improvement of processes
• MS9 - Finalization of investment plan