Are you ready to support your municipality in moving from traditional waste management to a truly systemic zero waste approach?
This in-depth training program provides a comprehensive and strategic understanding of how to build a Zero Waste City and navigate the Zero Waste City certification process.
Designed for municipal staff, sustainability experts, consultants, and local change-makers, the course combines system thinking, data literacy, to ensure complex concepts are translated into hands-on application.
Key dates:
- Registration – 18 February – 23 March 2026
- Training program on the online platform – 1 April – 1 June 2026
- Learners will get access to the platform – 23 March
Course investment
- Early Bird Rate (25% off): €149 (excl. VAT) – Available until 18 March 2026.
- Standard Rate: €199 (excl. VAT) – For registrations between 18 March and 23 March 2026.
Time investment
To successfully complete this course and earn your diploma, participants should plan for approximately 25-30 hours of total learning time, spread over live sessions, self-paced module study and hands-on assignments.
Modules & Content
| Module 1: Welcome to the course | Welcome word & how to navigate this course Assignment submission deadline 1 April |
| Module 2: Onboarding | Onboarding session 90 min live session – 2 April 14.00 to 15.30 (CEST) |
| Module 3: Municipality Data | Municipality Data & Waste Data Analysis How to interpret key waste-related data and use it for planning and advocacy. Assignment submission deadline 16 April |
| Module 4: Zero Waste & Zero Waste Cities | Zero Waste & Zero Waste Cities – Foundations Core principles, system design, and the Zero Waste hierarchy. Assignment submission deadline 23 April |
| Module 5: Data | Working with Data 120 min live session – 29 April 14.00 to 16.00 (CEST) |
| Module 6: Independent onsite field visit | Independent Site Visit Real-world observation and analysis of local systems. Assignment submission deadline 15 May |
| Module 7: Waste Treatment | Waste Treatment Methods120 min live session – 11 May11.00 to 13.00 (CEST) Preferred collection, sorting, recycling, and residual waste management. |
| Module 8: Waste Prevention | Waste Prevention & Reuse SystemsPractical measures to reduce waste generation at source. Assignment submission deadline 19 May |
| Module 9: Advocacy and Communication | Advocacy & Communication Stakeholder mapping, engagement strategies, and policy influence. Assignment submission deadline 20 May |
| Module 10: Site Visit Discussion, Waste Prevention Advocacy and Communication | Discussion120 min live session – 25 May14.00 to 16.0 (CEST) |
| Module 11: Zero Waste Roleplay | Practice: role play game240 min live session – 1 June13.00 to 17.00 (CEST) Role Play: From Learning to Practice Simulation exercises to apply zero waste principles in realistic municipal contexts. |
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the training course, the learners will:
- understand what zero waste system is,
- understand the Zero Waste City certification system in a basic level,
- understands preferred waste management and treatment methods (the Zero Waste hierarchy),
- be able to work with key waste-related data and understand the importance of data as a tool for advocacy,
- understand waste prevention and waste reduction measures and why they are essential when building a Zero Waste City,
- understand the key stakeholders in the process of building a zero waste city and how to engage them,
- be able to put zero waste principles into practice in different contexts,
- be able to advocate for a zero waste certification system.
What Makes This Training Different?
Unlike many circular economy programs, this training integrates systems thinking, applied data analysis, and behavioral insights. It offers a structured and practical pathway toward Zero Waste City certification, combining strategic understanding with implementation skills.
This training is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme (Key Action 2 – Cooperation Partnerships in Adult Education) under project reference 2025-1-EE01-KA220-ADU-000362148 and is developed in collaboration with Zero Waste Estonia and its project partners: Ekologi Brez Meja (Slovenia), Mission Zero Academy, and Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine.
Meet your trainers
Ekologi brez meja (EBM) is a non-profit founded in 2009 and one of the leading Slovenian NGOs dedicated to improving the state of the environment — focusing on efficient resource use and active citizenship. EBM has been teaching zero waste practices to municipalities since 2014, businesses from a few years later.
The Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) was set up as a spin-off of Zero Waste Europe to structure, formalise and professionalise the different tools, systems and approaches that ZWE has implemented for years. MiZA has designed and operates a Zero Waste Certification system for businesses, municipalities and trainers.
Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU) is an alliance of NGOs working to reduce waste in Ukraine through implementation of zero waste strategies.
Zero Waste Estonia (ZWEE) is a non-profit organisation. Since autumn 2022, ZWEE is officially registered as an adult education provider in Estonia, a decision which came as a logical step when the BEZWA project was finishing. In 2023-2024, close to 350 learners took part in ZWEE’s courses. The majority of them were from Estonia, from the public sector (municipalities but also ministries and other governmental institutions), businesses, consultants and educators.
Course completion requirements
We want to make sure you walk away with the confidence and skills to really make a difference! To get most of this experience and complete the course successfully, we ask that you commit to the following:
– Be part of the conversation: Our live sessions are where learning happens! Active participation in all scheduled live sessions is essential so we can learn from each other’s ideas and experiences.
– Keep the momentum going: To stay on track, please ensure all module assignments and your independent field activity are uploaded to the platform by the deadlines. This keeps the workflow smooth for everyone.
– Dive into the Final Simulation: The Module 11 Zero Waste Roleplay is the “grand finale.” It’s a fun, safe space to put your new knowledge into practice and show you’re ready to lead your city toward Zero Waste.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the first cohort leading this transition across Europe, register now: