LIPOR Academy launches Technical Training Cycle for Municipalities and strengthens its commitment to continuous development

"Circular Municipalities: Strategy, Operation and Engagement” is the new technical training cycle promoted by LIPOR Academy, designed to prepare municipal technicians and decision makers to respond to current and future challenges in waste management and in the transition towards more sustainable and circular models.

Initially directed at technicians from LIPOR’s Associated Municipalities - Espinho, Gondomar, Maia, Matosinhos, Porto, Póvoa de Varzim, Valongo and Vila do Conde - this new programme emerges as a structured answer to the increasing environmental, operational and regulatory demands faced by municipalities, particularly in meeting national and European 2030 targets in areas such as waste prevention, recycling, decarbonisation and operational efficiency.

More than a one‑off training offer, this cycle represents the strengthening of a continuous path of technical capacity building, designed to keep the pace with the evolution of the sector challenges and to reinforce, on an ongoing basis, the skills of municipal professionals. Over the coming years, new thematic modules will be added, ensuring a constant update of knowledge and practical tools for municipal teams.

The first training cycle, running from 2026 to 2027, includes specialised modules in strategic areas such as the legal framework and future challenges of waste management, waste reduction strategies, optimisation of collection operations, PAYT/RAYT/SAYT systems, sustainable public procurement, innovative waste management methodologies, communication and citizen engagement, and concluding with a masterclass and a technical visit.

With a practical and collaborative approach, this initiative also aims to strengthen intermunicipal cooperation, promoting the sharing of experiences and the joint development of replicable solutions adapted to the realities of each territory.

According to LIPOR Academy, this is only the first stage of a project with clear growth ambitions. In the future, the organisation intends to extend this training cycle to municipalities beyond LIPOR’s area of operation, enabling other local authorities to benefit from the specialised technical knowledge developed by the organisation and to invest in the qualification of their teams.

With this new initiative, LIPOR Academy reinforces its position as a platform for capacity building and innovation in the environmental sector, promoting applied knowledge and preparing municipalities for more efficient, sustainable and resilient management.