EWM is developing innovative solutions to waste disposal issues as part of a wider ambition to create environmentally friendly and cost effective regional waste management systems. This includes finding ways of decreasing the amount of waste dumped in landfill sites; increasing the amount of waste that is collected separately and reused; introducing new strategies on a regional scale; and building public acceptance of new waste disposal techniques. Achievements: Achievements so far The Interreg IIIC project European Waste Management (EWM) reached its 7th Progress Report. This report is the last progress report and is one of the final documents of the project. We organized 9 steering group meetings and had 50 interregional events to exchange and disseminate experience. Willingness and cooperation stayed between the partners in this period and the whole team stayed together and worked on the last part of the project. There is a common understanding in waste problems and the network of experts is helping to solve these problems. During this last period the worked out solution in the regions are being implemented. During this period we used the results of the EWM to discuss with politicians. In the Edinburgh we presented the resuts of the EWM and discussed them with 30 members of the Scottish Parliament. A radio reporter interviewed authorities and members of the EWM-project. We heard from the Scottish members of parliament the problems they are facing and discussed about responsiblity, perspectives and solutions which could be reached. We informed them about our experience within the project and expressed the progress participating regions made on waste. In the steering group meetings we discussed implementation of the workplan of the regular project, the planning and purpose of the closing meeting. During the closing meeting in Leeuwarden we organised a conference with European, National and Regional authorities and we visited regional companies on recycling on waste and deer waste. At the closing conference in Leeuwarden all results of the EWM were presented and the need to cooperate on waste issue in the EU was stressed. Also a representor from the EU Parliament was present to discuss the new thematic waste strategy & the revised waste directive and the consequence for the national authority & the regions. We considered waste not as a problem but a challenge for new development. To bring the waste on a higher platform in Europe the chairman pleaded for European knowledge centre. All information can be red is on the website www.waste3c.org We discussed problems & suggested solutions and the spin off of the EWM project . We used the meeting to make appointments for a possible follow up of the project. The Italian partner (Region of Genoa) is preparing a proposal for a follow up (EWM-2).