Binter.MK
Mobilising biomass, connecting people.
A digital marketplace built by the GAUSS Institute that links farmers, transporters and end‑users around one resource that used to go up in smoke: agricultural biomass in the Municipality of Novaci.
within aGROWchain (2020–2021)
Objective & summary
Every year, farmers in Novaci are left with large quantities of agricultural residue. Without a market for it, it is often burned in the field — polluting the air, releasing greenhouse gases, and breaking the law — instead of being turned into fuel, animal feed, compost or other products.
Binter.MK was developed under the aGROWchain project (“Agrowaste supply chains for sustainable growth”) to close that gap. It is a free web platform and Android mobile application that lets three groups meet in one place: farmers who have biomass to offer, collectors/transporters who move it, and end‑users — bioenergy and processing businesses — who need it. The app also estimates the CO₂ emissions avoided when declared biomass is used rather than burned, making the environmental case visible to every user at the point of use.
Built for the cross‑border area of Greece and North Macedonia, the platform was designed from the outset to be extendable beyond Novaci to other municipalities in the region.
Role & activities realised by GAUSS Institute
As lead contractor, GAUSS Institute carried out the platform’s design and delivery over a four‑month engagement, working alongside subcontractor CPERI/CERTH (Centre for Research & Technology Hellas), who built the application’s core module while GAUSS adapted it for Novaci, translated it into Macedonian, and tested it end‑to‑end.
Defining goals & scope
Established the platform’s objectives and target users in coordination with the National Extension Agency and local experts.
Wireframes & storyboards
Mapped how each of the three user roles would move through the app, screen by screen.
Interactive prototype & user testing
Ran the prototype past non‑expert testers, observed real use and collected structured feedback to refine the design.
Coding & development
Built the web portal and native Android application on open‑source technologies, integrated via RESTful web services.
Testing & launch
Verified functionality and effectiveness, incorporated final fixes, and released Binter.MK to the public.
Outputs delivered by GAUSS Institute
Binter.MK for Android
Free native application published on Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.
binter.mk e‑platform
Web version mirroring the app, with a full administration and user‑management back end.
Macedonian user manual
Step‑by‑step guide (УПАТСТВО) covering registration, roles and daily use for all three user groups.
Technical & visibility report
Final report describing functionality, screenshots, admin system, and proof of publication for the Contracting Authority.
English & Macedonian interface
Full local‑language adaptation of the platform, on top of the CPERI/CERTH core module.
3‑year hosting & support
Server operation, maintenance and bug‑fixing commitment maintained with CPERI/CERTH.
Outcomes
Farmers, transporters and end‑users in Novaci can find and transact with each other for the first time through a single, purpose‑built channel.
Biomass that would otherwise be burned in the field is instead registered, located and made available for collection.
Collectors/transporters can plan routes and reservations from a live map instead of word‑of‑mouth.
Each declared quantity of biomass comes with a visible estimate of the CO₂ emissions avoided by not burning it.
A new, low‑cost income opportunity opens up for farmers from material that previously had no market value.
The platform’s open architecture means it can be extended to other municipalities in the Greece – North Macedonia cross‑border area without licence costs.
“A supply chain for what used to be waste — built once in Novaci, designed to travel further.”
Directly targets open‑field burning of agricultural residue, one of the region’s persistent sources of air pollution and greenhouse‑gas emissions.
Turns an unused by‑product into a tradeable resource, creating a new, low‑barrier income channel for smallholder farmers.
Demonstrates GAUSS Institute’s capacity to deliver a full digital product — from user research to a live, maintained service — inside an EU cross‑border consortium.