New Third Way and IRMA Partner on Project Advancing Circular Critical Raw Material Value Chains

We are pleased to inform the public about our new regional project focused on the future of critical raw materials (CRMs) in the Western Balkans. The project, titled “Strategic Minerals, Strategic Future: Policy Recommendations for Circular and Sustainable CRM Value Chains in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia,” is implemented by New Third Way (Novi treći put) in partnership with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) .

The project responds to the growing importance of strategic minerals such as lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt, which are essential for electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy systems, and Europe’s green and digital transition. While Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia possess significant potential in this area, policy frameworks for sustainable and circular extraction remain underdeveloped.

Goals and Activities

The main goal of the project is to develop practical, country-specific policy recommendations that support responsible mining, circular economy principles, and sustainable industrial development. Through comparative desk research, expert roundtables in Belgrade, Skopje, and Tirana, and close cooperation with IRMA, the project will identify best practices, governance gaps, and feasible solutions aligned with the EU Green Deal and just transition objectives.

A strong emphasis is placed on stakeholder dialogue, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, academics, civil society, and labor organizations to ensure inclusive and realistic outcomes.

Support and Impact

The project is supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans (OSF-WB) as part of its focus on a just energy transition. By strengthening public understanding and policy capacity around circular CRM value chains, the initiative aims to position the Western Balkans as a credible and responsible partner in Europe’s clean-technology future.