Deadline: 16-Sep-2026
The Master-Composter: Transferring Czech and Slovak Experience to Ukrainian Communities course provides free online training on composting, bio-waste management, and circular economy practices. The programme is designed for Ukrainian communities, organisations, institutions, and individuals who want to develop or improve composting systems using practical experience from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
About the Master Composter Course
The specialised online course is delivered through the Zero Waste Academy learning platform. It aims to transfer practical knowledge and proven composting approaches from Czech and Slovak experts to Ukrainian communities.
The initiative responds to the significant amount of bio-waste generated within Ukraine’s municipal waste stream. Participants will learn how composting can be implemented safely and effectively at household, organisational, and community levels.
The programme is implemented by:
- EcoNews NGO
- Hnutí DUHA Olomouc
- Priatelia Zeme – SPZ
- Zero Waste Kharkiv
The initiative is supported by the International Visegrad Fund and V4 governments.
Key Details
- Programme: Master-Composter: Czech and Slovak Experience for Ukrainian Communities
- Format: Online
- Number of webinars: Five
- Course dates: September 22 to November 3, 2026
- Location: Online
- Participation fee: Free
- Target country: Ukraine
- Certificate: Available after successful completion of the final test
- Study tour: Slovakia, March 2027
- Study tour participants: Up to 12 of the most active participants
What Will Participants Learn?
The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical guidance on composting and local bio-waste management.
Key learning areas include:
- Safe and effective composting methods
- Community-level composting systems
- Bio-waste management
- Circular economy principles
- Practical composting solutions
- Adaptation of Czech and Slovak experience to Ukrainian communities
- Environmental policy and local implementation
- Approaches for reducing organic waste in municipal waste streams
Participants will also receive access to a digital toolkit containing useful resources for applying the knowledge gained during the course.
Who Is Eligible?
The course is open to a broad range of Ukrainian participants interested in composting and bio-waste management.
Eligible participants include:
- Ukrainian communities
- Civil society organisations
- Institutions
- Community initiatives
- Individuals with existing composting experience
- Individuals planning to introduce composting at home
- People interested in implementing composting within organisations
- Individuals interested in developing community-level composting systems
Participants do not necessarily need to already operate a composting programme. People who are planning to introduce composting can also participate.
Why Does the Programme Matter?
Bio-waste represents a significant component of municipal waste. Proper composting can help communities reduce the amount of organic material sent to disposal while producing useful compost.
The programme is particularly relevant because it combines international knowledge transfer with locally applicable solutions. Czech and Slovak specialists will share practical experience that participants can adapt to Ukrainian community conditions.
The course can therefore help participants:
- Improve local waste-management practices
- Reduce organic waste
- Promote circular-economy approaches
- Develop community composting initiatives
- Strengthen environmental awareness
- Introduce practical composting solutions
- Learn from established European experiences
Course Benefits
Participants who successfully engage with the programme can receive several benefits.
Certificate
Participants who successfully complete the final test will receive a certificate confirming their participation and completion of the course requirements.
Digital Toolkit
Participants will receive access to a digital toolkit with practical resources and information related to composting and bio-waste management.
Composting Kits
Up to five participants will receive motivational composting kits.
Study Tour to Slovakia
The 12 most active participants will be invited to participate in a study tour to Slovakia planned for March 2027.
The study tour will provide an opportunity to observe advanced composting and waste-management practices directly within local communities.
How the Master Composter Course Works
The programme consists of five specialised online webinars conducted between September 22 and November 3, 2026.
Step 1: Register
Interested Ukrainian participants should register for the course through the Zero Waste Academy learning platform.
Step 2: Attend the Online Webinars
Participants should attend the five scheduled webinars and engage with the training delivered by Czech and Slovak experts.
Step 3: Use the Learning Resources
Participants can use the digital toolkit and practical materials provided during the programme to strengthen their understanding of composting and bio-waste management.
Step 4: Complete the Final Test
Participants must successfully complete the final test to qualify for the course certificate.
Step 5: Participate in Further Opportunities
The most active participants may be selected for additional opportunities, including motivational composting kits and the March 2027 study tour to Slovakia.
Tips for Applicants
Applicants can improve their participation experience by:
- Identifying a specific composting challenge in their community before starting the course.
- Thinking about where composting could be introduced locally.
- Preparing questions about household, institutional, or community composting.
- Attending all five webinars.
- Applying the practical knowledge to a real local situation.
- Completing the final assessment successfully.
- Remaining actively engaged throughout the programme if interested in the Slovakia study tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Master Composter course?
It is a specialised online course that provides Ukrainian communities and other participants with practical knowledge about composting and bio-waste management based on Czech and Slovak experience.
When will the course take place?
The five online webinars will be held between September 22 and November 3, 2026.
Is participation free?
Yes. Participation in the course is free of charge, but registration is required.
Who can participate?
Ukrainian communities, organisations, institutions, and individuals can participate. The programme welcomes people who already have composting experience as well as those planning to introduce composting at home, within an organisation, or at community level.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants who successfully complete the final test will receive a certificate.
What is the Slovakia study tour?
The 12 most active participants will be invited to a study tour in Slovakia in March 2027. The tour will allow participants to learn directly from local composting and waste-management practices.
Are there additional prizes or benefits?
Yes. Up to five participants will receive motivational composting kits, while the 12 most active participants may receive invitations to the Slovakia study tour.
Conclusion
The Master-Composter: Czech and Slovak Experience for Ukrainian Communities course offers Ukrainian participants a free opportunity to develop practical skills in composting, bio-waste management, circular economy, and community waste reduction. Through five online webinars, expert guidance, a digital toolkit, certification, and opportunities for further international learning, the programme can help communities and individuals turn composting knowledge into practical local action.
For more information, visit Visegrad Fund.
