Published

19 Oct 2024

Written by

Giulia Lodi

International Repair Day 2024: members’ initiatives across Europe

Alianza Residuo CeroCircular Economy PortugalEkologi brez mejaFriends of the Earth - SPZFriends of the Earth CroatiaRepairZero Waste Alliance UkraineZero Waste Italy

Every year, International Repair Day highlights the critical role that repair and reuse play in reducing waste, preserving resources and strengthening communities. Today, 19 October 2024, we want to showcase the diverse range of repair initiatives that our members are organising across Europe. From empowering local communities through hands-on workshops to advocating for policy reforms, our members are fostering a culture of repair over consumption.

Empowering communities: repair cafés and training from Portugal to Ukraine
Circular Economy Portugal is marking this year’s International Repair Day with two impactful projects: a Repair Café and the launch of the nation’s first-ever training program for repairing Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). This training will equip everyday people with the skills to diagnose and fix common electronic device issues, from broken screens to malfunctioning appliances. By putting repair knowledge directly in the hands of citizens, this initiative not only reduces e-waste but also encourages a more hands-on, self-sufficient approach to consumer electronics.

Meanwhile, Zero Waste Italy kicked off the celebrations early by joining the Right to Repair campaign. On 3 October, they hosted a high-profile event, “The Right to Repair and the European Directives,” featuring prominent zero waste voices like Paul Connett and Rossano Ercolini. This event served as a platform for both celebration and education, focusing on how European legislation can support repair and reuse initiatives.

In Spain, Alianza Residuo Cero took a hands-on approach by hosting a repair workshop on 17 October. Participants were encouraged to bring broken appliances, bicycles, and textiles for repair, learning practical skills in a supportive, community-driven environment. These workshops not only promote waste reduction but also build a shared sense of responsibility for maintaining and prolonging the life of everyday items.

Despite the ongoing Russian full scale invasion, Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine is forging ahead with repair initiatives that inspire resilience and solidarity. Today, in the city of Lviv, locals are invited to bring their electronic devices, textiles, and household items to be repaired in collaboration with skilled specialists. As part of their long-term efforts, the organisation is also mapping out repair services across Lviv and Kharkiv to make these resources more accessible. Additional Repair Cafés are planned, focusing on bicycles, furniture, and shoe repair—an ongoing testament to the power of repair to foster community even in difficult times.

Publications and campaigns: pushing the repair agenda forward

In the frame of the project Communities Go Circular, Zero Waste Italy, Zelena akcija / Zero Waste Croatia and Ekologi brez meja (Ecologists without borders) have released two important publications this year:

  • A position paper on repair: this comprehensive document examines recent EU and national legislative developments, offering concrete policy recommendations to strengthen repairability standards across Europe. By advocating for collective action, the paper highlights the urgent need for robust EU-wide regulations that support the Right to Repair.
  • Guidelines for reuse projects: these guidelines provide practical advice for starting community-led reuse projects, featuring successful case studies from Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. These projects demonstrate that local, grassroots action can drive meaningful change in reducing waste and promoting circularity.

In Slovakia, Priatelia Zeme – SPZ is tackling repair with creativity and humour. They have launched a campaign to promote repair, combining practical resources with engaging content and accompanied by a series of lighthearted comics that make the subject more approachable. By injecting fun into the repair narrative, they’re encouraging broader community engagement while underscoring the importance of Repair Cafés.

Croatia’s 15-year repair success story: the bike repair cafés
One of the longest-running repair initiatives in Europe, Zelena akcija / Zero Waste Croatia’s Biciklopopravljaona (Bike Repair Café) is celebrating 15 years of success. This volunteer-led workshop empowers community members to fix their bicycles at no cost, while also fostering a culture of solidarity. Donated bicycles are repaired and redistributed to those in need, and non-repairable bikes are disassembled for parts. This initiative not only reduces waste but also helps people build valuable repair skills and strengthens social bonds.

These inspiring initiatives from across Europe demonstrate the power of repair to reduce waste, foster community, and promote environmental sustainability. As we celebrate International Repair Day today, let’s remember that whether you’re fixing a bike, repairing an electronic device, or advocating for stronger repair laws, you are part of a global movement pushing for change. For more information and resources, check the Right to Repair coalition website.