The project successfully promoted the use of AI tools among environmental activists and local/national authorities in addressing the issue of illegal dumps. Through a structured and collaborative approach, environmental activists throughout the region were encouraged and trained to use a mobile application to identify, report, and monitor dumpsites. As a result, a comprehensive crowdsourced map of dumps was generated.

Local and national authorities were granted access to real-time data on the location, size, and composition of identified dumps, enabling them to take timely and evidence-based measures for waste management and environmental protection.

The project encompassed and successfully completed the following activities:

1. Desk Analysis – A thorough desk analysis was conducted to assess the current state of waste management practices, existing digital tools, and regulatory frameworks.
2. Development of a Demo Version of the AI-Based Mobile Application – A functional demo version of the AI-powered mobile application was developed – Vertex Waste Management, integrating features for geolocation, image recognition, and data categorization of dumpsites. The application is free for downloading on Android and iOS.
3. Workshops with Environmental Activists, Volunteers and Local/National Authorities – A workshop wers organized, where local environmental activists and volunteers were trained to use the application effectively for reporting and monitoring dumps.
4. Design of the Management Information System (MIS) – A management information system was designed and implemented to ensure efficient data workflow, validation, analysis, and reporting.
5. Probation Period and Testing – The application underwent a structured testing phase, during which feedback from users and authorities was collected and integrated to improve functionality and usability.

As a result, the pilot project established a practical model of AI-assisted waste management that can be replicated and scaled in other municipalities across the Western Balkan countries. Given that all countries in the region face similar environmental challenges, the project strengthened cooperation between civil society organizations and local/national authorities, creating a solid foundation for broader regional application.

The project also generated follow-up initiatives aimed at reinforcing the regional network of environmental civil society organizations. By raising awareness of the negative impacts of irresponsible waste disposal practices, the project contributed significantly to environmental protection, improved waste planning and disposal strategies, and created additional social and governance benefits across the region.

The project is financed by Open Society Foundation.