Women-focused GIZ Project Circular City Labs Concludes Activities and Shares Lessons Learnt

The GIZ project Circular City Labs  tested reusable packaging systems in four cities to reduce packaging waste and greenhouse‑gas emissions and to strengthen women’s participation in local circular economies.

From January 2023 to December 2025, the project run accelerator programmes in Medellín, Colombia; Tirana, Albania; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Alexandra, South Africa, and supported selected local businesses with piloting reusable packaging systems. The activities were conducted in cooperation with the respective city administrations to anchor circular economy and particularly reuse systems in public strategies and roadmaps.

Across the project locations, five reuse systems were piloted and mitigated around 10 tonnes of CO2‑equivalent. All pilot projects were women‑led, and women accounted for about 70% participation within the accelerator programmes.

The pilot businesses

Improving access to nutritious food and basic household products in low-income communities:

• Gcwalisa in South Africa

Solving logistics problems with reusable packing solutions:

• Xiclo in Colombia.

Engaging the community and providing circular packaging solutions:

• Fabrika and Campa in Georgia.

Raising awareness for circularity:

• TOK and Barefoot Festival in Albania.

Key lessons and more resources

Key lessons show that robust reuse business models still need an enabling, well‑enforced regulatory framework; where legislation is pending, cities can advance reuse e.g. through public procurement or event regulations, by providing access to venues, permits or logistics support, issuing clear guidance and hygiene protocols, and building partnerships with businesses and universities to fast-track piloting.

All publications and project resources can be found on the CCL website.