The Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARMa) project contributed to the transnational bottom-up approach to Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SARM) and ensured a Sustainable Supply Mix (SSM) in 10 participating countries of the South East Europe (SEE) region.

In times of crisis in the construction industry, it is crucial to promote the sustainable approach to the management and supply of aggregates needed for construction works. The two main objectives of the project are to develop common approach to sustainable aggregate resource management (SARM) and sustainable supply mix (SSM) planning, at three scales, to ensure efficient and secure supply in SEE.

Aggregates are crucial for infrastructure and construction. SEE countries are rich in aggregates, but supply is not coordinated within or across the area. Challenges are illegal and damaging quarries, unclaimed sites, limited recycling and community opposition. Fulfilling demand requires efficient and sustainable supply chain (planning, extraction, transport, use and recycling), and socio-eco friendly quarrying, to preclude opposition to extraction, supply bottlenecks, and restricted growth. These objectives were promoted by establishing cooperation between Geological Surveys in participating countries with various target groups at the local level, regional /national policy level, and at the transnational bodies related to the topic.

The project was co-financed by the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme.  Geological Surveys and other expert organisations from 10 SEE countries (Slovenia, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Albania) were involved in the project.