Project Title: BEHaviour Analysis and Valorisation for Elevated waste prevention strategies
Acronym: BEHAVE
Programme: INTERREG Europe
Lead Partner: Municipality of Novo mesto (Slovenia)
Project Partners: Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management – ACR+ (Belgium), Waste Management Authority – Salten Region - IRIS Salten IKS (Norway), Brussels Environment (Belgium), Regional Agency DUNEA (Croatia), Waste Management Agency – Province of Ancona - Assemblea Territoriale - d'Ambito - ATO2 (Italy)
Project Duration: 01/05/2025 – 30/04/2029 (48 months)
Total Budget: EUR 1,351,846.00
Co-funding: The BEHAVE project is co-financed with EUR 872,984.40 from the Interreg Europe programme, EUR 118,150.00 from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, and EUR 360,711.60 from public and private partner contributions.
DUNEA Budget: EUR 202,074.00
Project Description:
BEHAVE explores and evaluates citizens' behavioural patterns to improve waste management strategies and separate waste collection.
Waste is not just a household issue. Tourist hotspots, parks, sports venues, cultural institutions and events also generate large volumes of waste—most of which is not properly sorted. BEHAVE therefore focuses on high-traffic public spaces, where waste management is often neglected but holds significant potential for change.
BEHAVE is grounded in behavioural science—acknowledging that up to 95% of our behaviour happens unconsciously. To encourage more sustainable actions, we must understand people’s habits and inspire change through smart, evidence-based approaches. BEHAVE uses “nudging” techniques—subtle environmental or communication adjustments that help individuals make better choices.
Over the course of four years, six project partners from Slovenia, Belgium, Croatia, Italy, and Norway will:
- Analyse behavioural patterns in various public environments—from city streets in historic centres to sports arenas and nature-based tourist attractions used for leisure;
- Develop innovative waste separation and prevention solutions tailored to different infrastructures and target audiences, through the exchange of best practices;
- Implement pilot actions with local stakeholders using innovative and advanced waste management tools, including:
- KAYT (Know-As-You-Throw): raising awareness about incorrect waste practices;
- SAYT (Save-As-You-Throw): offering incentives for proper waste behaviour;
- PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw): pricing waste services based on the amount of waste generated;
- Introduce green public procurement and other measures that support the circular economy;
- Train partner organisations, enhance policies based on findings, and keep the public informed about results.
BEHAVE is not just a research project—it’s a practical toolkit for cities and regions aiming to bring the circular economy closer to people and improve waste practices through a deep understanding of human behaviour, public space, and habits. It treats public space as a space of opportunity—where small behavioural shifts can yield significant environmental benefits.
The Regional Agency DUNEA is a project partner, while the Dubrovnik-Neretva County is an associated partner, as the holder of the Territorial Development Strategy for the Islands of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
The pilot area selected for project implementation within Dubrovnik-Neretva County is the island of Mljet. Key stakeholders for the project include the Department for Environmental Protection and Utility Affairs of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, the Municipality of Mljet, the Public Utility Company of Mljet, the Mljet National Park, and the Mljet Island Tourist Board.
