About the project Clean&Circle

Project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019:„Clean technologies for sustainable environment – waters, waste, energy for circular economy“ (Clean&Circle) for creation and development of a Centre of Competence “, is financed by the Operational programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth”2014-2020, co-financed by the European union through the European structural and investment funds.

The overall cost of the project is BGN 23 667 925.86, of which BGN 20 117 736.97 European and BGN 3 550 188.89, national co-financing.

The project duration is from 30 March 2018 to 30 November 2023.

Leading organization is Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

Clean&Circle aims at building effective infrastructure and research capacity to develop innovations in the circular economy focusing on water, energy and waste management.

Three vertical and four horizontal modules lay the foundation of the Centre of Competence. The vertical modules are "Water", "Solid Waste" and "Transfer". The “Water” and “Solid Waste” modules will cover two main aspects: "Monitoring, Evaluation and Identification of Problems" and "Clean Technologies" – development of clean Technologies. In both modules, the horizontal priorities will include activities relating to the circular economy and achievement of energy and resource efficiency through:

1. Innovations through efficient operation of the water and waste treatment facilities and of the water supply and sewerage networks;
2. Increasing the share of the renewable and alternative energy sources by producing biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, hydro power, combined with sediment bioremediation technologies and solving of crucial environmental problems;
3. Recovery of resources such as phosphorus, precious and rare metals, bioremediation of sludge, soils and sediments that have accumulated toxic pollutants;
4. Obtaining alternative resources - zeolite from ashes, slags, cake, new construction and composite materials from waste, RDF fuel, high quality bioreactors from composting plants, microbiological detoxification preparations, etc.

All activities in the CoC will be integrated into an electronic cloud for the exchange and rapid use of information, as well as for its structuring in dedicated electronic cards.

The innovation activity based on excellence in research and technology is an important priority. Real-time control of processes is planned through automated chemical, physical, technological, microbiological, and molecular methods. Sensors and biosensors will be developed to control and manage water treatment processes.

A key focus is placed on the vertical module “Transfer”. It foresees activities related to training, dissemination of results, technology transfer and technological entrepreneurship. Large-scale actions for joint master's, doctoral and post-doctoral programmes are planned, where the training and qualification of specialists will be distinguished by the two types of interdisciplinary important for the EU Road map, respectively, between natural sciences and technical sciences for the purpose of creating holistic and operational clean technologies, and training for technology entrepreneurs, development of their soft skills and ability to reach the end of the technological process following the economic models of implementation and commercialization through start-ups and spin-offs creation.

As a result of the deployment of this module, Clean & Circle CoC will attract specialists with diverse key competences and qualifications, capable of team-working and achieving synergy.

The project includes an investment part to build and equip the Centre of Competence, and renovation activities to improve the working conditions in existing laboratories. Within the project framework, 2 laboratory complexes with 11 laboratories and 1 accelerator for technological entrepreneurship and transfer with two laboratories will be built. They will facilitate the completion of the R&D tasks and activities planned.