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Assembly of European Regions

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You are here: Home / Archives for Circular Economy

This is the tag for all posts relating the circular economy.

A more efficient implementation of environmental policies through the regions

20 May, 2016 By Editor

“It is useless to come with directives, regulations and strategies if they are not implemented“: Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, opened the meeting with the delegation led by AER Vice-President Magnus Berntsson on 20 May 2016 in a frank and honest way, stressing the importance for the European Commission to cooperate with the regions for an efficient implementation of the environmental policies.

Magnus Berntsson took the opportunity of this meeting to introduce the keynote discussion on the topic of the Arctic that AER will hold in the framework of its 2016 General Assembly on 23 June in Nordland (NO). M. Vella presented the European Commission’s communication on “an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic” and expressed the crucial need to find global solutions and to take global actions in this area. The Arctic region indeed “represents a huge potential in terms of economic opportunities, which can only be sustainable by taking our environmental responsibilities” added the Commissioner. This potential was also raised by M. Berntsson, highlighting a.o. the blue growth and the green tourism.

Blue growth was at the heart of the discussions with a number of concrete examples given by the members of the AER delegation. Following the presentation made by the Commissioner on blue growth economy and the potentiality for outermost region (OR), Cyrielle Cuirassier, representing the outermost region of Guadeloupe (FR), took the opportunity to ask for the state of the art (technical level) regarding the task force to be launched. In line with the presentation made by the Commissioner, she reminded him about the specificities of the archipelago of Guadeloupe (art.349), and brought specific data such as the youth unemployment rate (Eurostat), and the added value of Guadeloupe as an OR in accordance with the communication of the EU commission (2012). Commissioner Vella promised to strengthen the dialogue on these topics with Commissioner Cretu, in charge of the outermost regions. Magnus Berntsson emphasized the need for common standards in the education system related to maritime professions, also to attract young people.

On top of the need to safeguard the oceans with sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the Commission emphasized on the potential of energy (including innovative forms such as wave energy) that represent the oceans, and the question of global governance it raises to face these new challenges.

Making the link between maritime affairs and environment, all the parties around the table agreed on the urgent need to take actions regarding the use of plastics and its consequences on the oceans and shores. Again, the Commissioner called for a global response as “marine litter is a global problem: all possible waste end up in the oceans that we share globally” he said.

The topic of circular economy, especially green public procurement, was also discussed by the delegation. Giving an example of best practice from his home region of Västra Götaland (SE), M. Berntsson asked for a clearer definition and proved that “green public procurements and tenders can be used as incentives and to create new markets”. 

Commissioner Vella praised the work of AER in the field of circular economy, and more specifically the ongoing Regional Innovation Award which will be presented in December 2016 in Brussels.

To close the meeting, Mitar Vasiljevic exposed to the Commissioner the main elements addressed by the region of Vojvodina (RS) regarding environmental policies, and called the Commission for a greater support from the main funding programmes of the EU to the candidate countries, such as LIFE+.

Quoting the work done during the COP21, AER and the team of Commissioner Vella will keep on working together in the next months and years to achieve their common goals: a better implementation of the environmental policies in Europe and globally.

Meeting pictures

Commissioner Vella Magnus Berntsson

Karmenu Vella

Commissioner Karmenu Vella discovers the AER’s map of regions presented by AER Vice-President Magnus Berntsson

meeting Vella

 

Vella Berntsson

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Follow Wielkopolska’s lead: become the next Regional Innovation Award winner

16 May, 2016 By Editor

The 2011 edition of the Regional Innovation prize was awarded in Ponta Delgada, Açores (P) on the 25 November 2011 to the project “Promoter of Innovation” presented by the region of Wielkopolska (PL). This initiative aimed at providing capital, legal advice, technical know-how and other services to facilitate the development of knowledge-based SMEs. President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso gave a speech during the ceremony.

Award Ceremony of the RIA in 2011 with the President of the European Commission, osé Manuel Durão Barroso
Award Ceremony of the RIA in 2011 with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AER President
Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President

“This year’s edition of the Regional Innovation Award is of particular importance as it will address the issue of Circular Economy. We look forward to promoting regional initiatives in this area, showing once again that regions are motors of economic growth and on the starting blocks in terms of developing policies and actions in new fields” Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President

About the Regional Innovation Award

Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory.

The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the call is 15 June 2016 and the award ceremony will take place in Brussels (BE) on 1 December 2016.

Apply today for the 2016 award to promote your region’s action.

About Wielkopolska’s project
About the Innovation Award

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Join Västra Götaland in the ranks of top innovative regions

6 May, 2016 By Editor

In 2009, the region of Västra Götaland (SE) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for its project “Industrial Dynamics” which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the region and promoting industrial companiesʼ growth and stronger competitiveness through more forceful exploitation of development potential and support for innovation.

“The jury was particularly impressed by the quantitative independently evaluated. There was a clear focus on the regionʼs potential. Finally, this initiative is politically backed and is based on a strong existing demand.” 

Dr. Joachim Hafkesbring
President Technology Transfer and Innovation (TII)

About the Regional Innovation Award

Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory.

The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the call is 15 June 2016 and the award ceremony will take place in Brussels (BE) on 1 December 2016.

Apply today for the 2016 award to promote your region’s action.

 

About the Västra Götaland project

About the Innovation Award

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YRN prepares highly-interactive workshop on Youth Entrepreneurship

3 May, 2016 By Editor

During the YRN Spring Plenary meeting, the committee of “Professional Life and Youth Entrepreneurship” worked with the outline of the workshop that is going to be held at the AER Summer Academy 2016 in Østfold (NO).

With an aim to give the participants an insight to the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship, and encourage them to come up with creative and innovative solutions the committee propounded the idea of holding an interactive 120-minute workshop for 30 people.

In order to raise the awareness and enhance the entrepreneurial spirit, the participants will be offered an opportunity to attend a lecture held by an inspiring guest speaker and learn from successes and failures from the real life experience. The second section – a business game – would challenge the creative power and presentation skills of the participants. It is important that the emphasis of the simulation should not be only on the aspect of profit creation but also on the development of new solutions for currently existing social, economic and environmental challenges. The jury consisting of a charismatic guest speaker, a representative from Innovasjon Norge (Innovation Norway) and a political leader would be encouraged to give feedback and evaluate the ideas based on the creativity, viability, and positive return to society.

The workshop promoting youth entrepreneurship with a focus on social entrepreneurship will aim to combine the ideas of circular economy that was also the main focus of YRN Spring Plenary.

On behalf of the committee of “Professional Life and Youth Entrepreneurship” we would like to welcome you to Østfold in August 2016!

Written by Grete Kesküla

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Join Noord-Brabant amongst the winners of the AER Regional Innovation Award

1 May, 2016 By Editor

In 2008, the Provice of Noord-Brabant (NL) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for their Innovative Actions Braban program 3 (IAB-3) which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the Province and finding smart solutions for the ageing population.

 

“This project targets one of the most significant social predicaments facing Europeans and citizens around the world: an ageing population. Noord Brabant suggests an innovative approach to proactively deal with a major societal challenge.”

Susanne Justesen
Innovation Advisor, Ph.D, Innoversity Copenhagen

About the Regional Innovation Award

Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory.

The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the call is 15 June 2016 and the award ceremony will take place in Brussels (BE) on 1 December 2016.

Apply today for the 2016 award to promote your region’s action.

 

About the Noord-Brabant project

About the Innovation Award

 

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Circular economy: the main focus of YRN Spring Plenary Meeting

29 April, 2016 By Editor

The 2016 Youth Regional Network spring plenary meeting that took place in Oppland (NO) from 30 April to 2 May proposed an ambitious programme. First, during the opening session, the welcome words were followed by the announcement of the Regional Innovation Award, to then yield the floor to the introduction of a very important topic in the European agenda, keynote in this event: the circular economy. In this framework, the RMC-Covenant Circular Economy gave a presentation that aims at providing a general overview on this matter, its potential and issues at stake.  Oppland, the host region, presented and shared its good practices in the field which was followed by an open debate.

Most importantly, YRN members prepared their moderation of the AER Spring 2016 Bureau (22-24 June, Nordland-NO), an event that will focus on the ways technology helps innovation in democracy, highlighting the disruptive nature of technology and the need to renew existing models. Afterwards, YRN members will also be responsible for organizing and facilitating a workshop during the 2016 Summer Academy on youth entrepreneurship.

Further discussions took place in the four YRN committees in search of the exchange on the issues brought forward by the members. The topic of migrants was been put on the table for dialogues. Finally the elections of the new presidium took place on 2 May, which will thus be the YRN General Assembly.

For further information, go to the YRN plenary event’s page

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Closing the loop: funding opportunities for circular economy projects

24 February, 2016 By Editor

An EU Action Plan for sustainability

The European Commission  Action plan for the Circular Economy wants to go beyond recycling. It raises awareness on principles such as eco design, extended warranty, lower resource use and less waste. This plan sets clear targets:

The EU’s action plan for a circular economy

  • A common EU target for recycling 75% of packaging waste by 2030
  • A common EU target for recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2030
  • A binding landfill target to reduce landfill to maximum of 10% of all waste by 2030
  • A ban on landfilling of separately collected waste

Besides the Action plan, the Commission is promoting the transition towards a more resource efficient economy. This is done through changes in the legislation (Eco-design Directive and revised legislative proposals on waste and fertilisers) and through new funding opportunities.

Financial instruments to enable the transition

  • Horizon 2020
    • A major € 650 million initiative has been launched under Horizon2020 on ‘Industry 2020 and the circular economy’. 
  • LIFE funding (the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects throughout the EU)
    • The work programme 2014-17 is focused on resource efficiency, green and circular economy.
  • COSME:
    • The programme will help address the competitiveness and sustainability of EU enterprises, promote entrepreneurship and improve access to finance and to markets.
  • European Structural and Investment Fund
    • To support programmes for development in EU Regions.
  • EIB, National Promotional Banks, Commercial banks
    • The EIB is a major partner for circular economy investments in the EU, and has during the last 10 years co-financed projects worth EUR 15 billion.

Additionally, other EU Funds will also be mobilised such as the regional policy programmes to support investments in waste separate collection and recycling infrastructure. Up until 2020, for example, 5.5 billion EUR are available for waste management alone.

Furthermore, the Commission will help with advice and it can also help with public-private collaboration. Moreover, there is the European Innovation Partnerships in place for water and raw materials.

In addition to the financial instruments previously in place, the Juncker investment plan includes new financial instruments for the transition towards a circular economy.

Encouraging applications for European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)

  • EFSI can in particular provide help for small-scale circular economy projects and by supporting innovative projects that lack funding.
  • The EFSI can deliver up to EUR 315 billion in additional public and private investment over the next three years.
  • The Commission is also examining how to use the Investment Plan possibilities in tackling the financing gap for innovative projects emerging from LIFE funding.
  • Furthermore, the Commission, together with the EIB is currently reviewing how best to promote innovative projects in the water sector in the context of EFSI.

The Commission is currently assessing the possibility of launching a platform together with the EIB and National Promotional Banks to further support the financing of the circular economy.

Furthermore, the European Commission and the EIB have engaged in a partnership under the InnovFin Advisory program to raise awareness in the business and financial communities, to assess future financing needs and whether the existing financial instruments, in particular the InnovFin financial products (InnovFin  is a EU finance support programme under Horizon 2020, which was previously only available to innovative industrial and technology enterprises), are fit to support the transition to a more circular economy.

In line the with these initiatives, the AER is launching the Regional Innovation Award which targets projects on the circular economy. The applications for the 8th edition of the RIA are open until 15 June 2016. More information about the prize and the application process can be found on the AER website.

We also recommend the Covenant Circular Economy 2022 newsletter for valuable articles and updates on this crucial topic.

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AER Youth Regional Network back in force

5 February, 2016 By Mathieu Mori

We are glad to announce that the region of Oppland (NO) will welcome the YRN Spring plenary meeting from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May. Practical information and agendas will follow soon but please book the dates.

In 2016, AER puts the theme of revitalising democracy in focus. No serious discussion on this topic can happen without actively involving the YRN in the AER Spring bureau meeting. Furthermore, with a Summer Academy dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, the YRN will be heavily integrated in this event as well.

The contribution to these two events as well as the election of the new YRN President and any topics emerging from the youth will be at the heart of the next Plenary meeting. The host region also proposes an awareness-raising session on circular economy which will be the AER Innovation award focus this year.

A more detailed letter addressed to the YRN members can be found here.

We hope to see many young people join us in Oppland !

 

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The circular economy: opportunity or threat?

27 January, 2016 By Editor

The circular economy is becoming a central topic in policy and business circles. It is presented as the sustainable alternative to the traditional linear model of economic growth, which has already reached its limits. The linear economy is based on ‘take-make-use-dispose’, whereas the circular economy encourages the reparability of products and the reuse of materials.

But, what is exactly the circular economy? It entails a change in the whole economic paradigm, from the first stages of product design, to the production process and waste management in order to convert waste into useful resources. In this model, the resources are minimised and the live of the materials is prolonged. There is a considerable decrease of waste as when a product has reached the end of its life the resources are reintroduced into the economy.

There are economic opportunities linked to this model as it is intended to boost resource productivity, to provide substantial net material cost savings, to create employment opportunities, and increase innovation. Furthermore, there are environmental and system-wide opportunities. The most relevant ones are the reduction of emissions and primary material consumption, the preservation and improvement of land productivity, and a reduction in negative externalities.

However, the opportunities are not only for businesses as citizens will also benefit from the circular economy model. A greater utility can be reached as a result of more choice, lower prices, and lower total cost of ownership. Political and business circles already recognize its economic and environmental gains.

With the increasing visibility and awareness regarding this topic the European Commission launched the new Circular Economy Package, which seeks to promote resource efficiency throughout the value chain, proposing targeted actions at each stage including product design, manufacturing, usage and end-of-life treatment. Initiatives will include “targeted action” in food, construction, industrial and mining waste, and public procurement. The EC made clear that the circular economy is as much about the economy as it is about the environment.

In order to contribute to the transition towards a more circular economy the AER has been working on this subject from its different committees. The most recent initiative is the Regional Innovation Award 2016 which is dedicated to circular economy projects.

 

More information

  • AER Regional Innovation Award
  • RIA Application form
  • Contact the AER Secretariat for more information

 

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The Regional Innovation Award is back !

18 January, 2016 By Editor

The run up for the 8th Regional Innovation Award has started!

The Regional Innovation Award (RIA) is one of AER’s many tools to highlight and share good practices of regions to the whole network. Over the years, numerous regions have been recognised for their efforts in different fields. In 2016, the Innovation Award is back and aims to identify regional actions in favour of the very topical “circular economy”.

Don’t miss your chance to apply. All information is available here.

 

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Looking for partners for Horizon2020 project on Smart Specialisation

9 December, 2015 By Editor

PBL (Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency) is a part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment in the Netherlands and has been working in the past couple of years with other partners on the large FP7 project called Smart Specialisation for Regional Innovation. PBL has also created the S3 inter-regional trade tool of the EC Smart Specialisation Platform.

PBL is looking to form a consortium for the new Horizon2020 call that is meant for regional authorities and/or national/regional/local structures responsible for the implementation of Smart Specialisation strategies: CIRC-03-2016: Smart specialisation for systemic eco-innovation/circular economy

Topic Description

Specific Challenge:
Regions are key players in the transition to a circular economy and can together create new circular economy value chains with critical mass. However, knowledge of each other’s strengths and the available resources and services is often limited. Developing joint strategies, built on complementarities and respective strengths, can therefore be valuable for better realising their individual and combined potential.

Scope:
The purpose is to support a transition towards the circular economy in European regions in synergy with Smart Specialisation strategies. A systemic approach should be adopted that seeks connections between sectors, value chains, markets, natural resources and relevant societal actors. The project should develop a coherent EU reference framework enabling and encouraging regions and Member States to establish operational synergies between R&I investments from Horizon 2020 and the European Structural and Investment Funds leading to market uptake and replication of innovative solutions. The developed reference framework should include recommendations for policy makers, in particular in EU Cohesion countries, providing guidance on how to invest European Structural and Investment Funds to support the transition to a circular economy within the context of existing smart specialisation strategies.

Participants must be regional authorities and/or national/regional/local structures responsible for the implementation of Smart Specialisation strategies. The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 1 million and EUR 1.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Contact

If you are interested in joining this consortium, please contact the PBL:

Dr. Olga Ivanova
Senior Researcher in Economic Modelling and Policy Analysis

………………………………………………………………
Urbanisation and Transport
PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
Oranjebuitensingel 6 | 2511 VE | The Hague | 02.20
PO box 30314 | 2500 GH | The Hague
………………………………………………………………
T +31(0)615 08 93 09

[email protected]
http://www.pbl.nl

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Financing Circular Economy

23 June, 2015 By Editor

On 23 June, AER held in its Brussels premises a joint workshop with the Covenant 2022 for Circular Economy. The working day gave a bird’s eye perspective on the state of play of circular economy in Europe, and was an opportunity to meet the views of the public and financial sectors, with the presentation of  various best practices in the regions to fund projects and initiatives. Following the workshop, the Covenant 2022, the European Partners for the Environment (EPE) and the Assembly of European Regions (AER) will draft a position paper and raise awareness among European decision makers on a number of field of interests for the European regions and for a strong and comprehensive legislative proposal.

About Convenant 2022

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