Held in Brussels under the theme “Making Circular Investments Pay Off for Cities and Regions”, the event brought together over 120 stakeholders, including investors, cities, regions, and businesses. The workshop acknowledged the key moment we are currently living in the EU’s circular economy journey, where there is an urgent need to transition from policy development to implementation. With a new European Commission taking office, the focus has shifted from defining frameworks to putting them into action. Discussions highlighted the transformative potential of circular systemic solutions (CSS) at local and regional levels and the necessity of showcasing successful projects to foster replication and adoption across Europe.
Participants from the CCRI ecosystem presented valuable resources and initiatives aimed at empowering cities and regions in their circular transitions. The CCRI Knowledge Hub introduced its marketplace of technologies and mentoring programmes, designed to support newcomers in their transition towards circularity. The European Investment Bank (EIB) shared insights into its Circular City Centre, which aids municipalities in accessing funding for circular projects, while the OECD showcased its work on governance frameworks that enable cities and regions to design and implement circular strategies effectively.
Central to the discussions was the idea of turning circular solutions into viable investment opportunities. The event featured examples of startups embedding circularity into their business models from the outset, such as collaborations with large corporations to design sustainable products. One particularly striking case involved recycling firefighter uniforms into raw materials for new clothing; a solution that reduced waste while generating economic value at no additional cost. These practical cases demonstrate that circular practices are not only environmentally sustainable but also financially feasible, capable of generating multiple revenue streams from the same materials and reducing reliance on finite resources.
EURADA’s engagement in representation of circular economy projects such as CircSyst, FRONTSH1P, CCRI Knowledge Hub, Agro2Circular, or Just Fashion, allows us not only to be part of these critical conversations, but also to strength our ability to support regional practitioners in navigating the complexities of circularity. Moreover, this event demonstrated the importance of partnerships that integrate governance, technology, and finance in accelerating the circular transition.
All in all, attending the certainly workshop reinforced EURADA’s commitment to advancing circular economy practices and supporting its partners in the abovementioned projects. But more importantly, the insights gained at the workshop are a valuable addition to its ongoing efforts to promote sustainable regional development while upholding circularity.
