RIVCircular is part of the European Innovation Valleys (RIV) initiative under the Horizon Europe Program (Pillar III – European Innovation Ecosystems) and is coordinated by the Community of Madrid.
Aligned with the New European Innovation Agenda’s flagship goal of accelerating and strengthening innovation across EU ecosystems while bridging the innovation divide, RIVCircular fosters collaboration among six European regions: southern (Madrid), central (Hauts-de-France), northern (Innlandet and Brandenburg), and eastern (Košice and Kyiv).
The project adopts a holistic approach to the circular economy, promoting interregional cooperation and knowledge exchange to drive sustainable innovation.
The Project aims to foster the creation of efficient, open, inclusive and interconnected innovation ecosystems in six European regions with different levels of innovation development through the sharing of experiences, knowledge and intra-exchange of good practices. Public organisations constituting the consortium as well as companies and research institutions that are parts of their ecosystems are committed to work together.
To achieve this, during the first year of the project, calls for proposals will be launched for a total of 16 million euros to fund innovation projects in the five main thematic areas of the project: Circularity in Construction and Demolition, Textile Industry, Recycling of Electric Vehicle Batteries, Resource Recovery from Waste, and Enhancement of Digitalization in the Circular Economy.
The aims of the project are to enhance the policy-making process through engaging with stakeholders, civil society organizations, and experts, build capacities, competence, and expertise for professionals related to the circular economy in the participating regions, as well as removing barriers that are hindering the development of the circular economy in Europe.
Cascade funding for Innovation Actions projects (TRL 6-8)
Projects of 2-3 years focusing on topics such as Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), textiles, batteries, and resource recovery.
Projects of 1-2 years about Digitalization in the circular economy.
By cooperating on future contracts, involved authorities can foster innovation, meet regional needs, and exchange best practices. Establishing joint public procurement initiatives will enhance green and innovative purchasing strategies. To support this effort, a dedicated group will be formed to analyze barriers and challenges related to joint procurement among regions, strengthening approaches to Green Public Procurement (GPP) and Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI).
Create an interregional panel to exchange and systematize information that promotes innovation throughout the circular economy value chain. Panel participants will include experts from research, policy-making, and business sectors, working together to build a connected and resilient ecosystem among participating regions. This collaboration will enhance scalability opportunities, especially for deep technology companies.
Promote knowledge exchange and raise awareness through learning communities that share experiences and best practices. Develop training courses to strengthen the skills and capacities of entrepreneurs and companies in participating regions, empowering them to thrive in the evolving circular economy landscape.
Empower citizens and encourage social entrepreneurship by actively involving civil society in circular economy initiatives. Organize events and activities to raise awareness and inform the public about the importance and benefits of the circular economy, fostering community involvement and innovation.
Identify key obstacles that hinder technology transfer within the circular economy sector and recognize critical enablers to facilitate positive change. By addressing these barriers, we can create more opportunities for innovation and collaboration among stakeholders and the development of new business models.
Project Nº 101161013. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however this of the author(s) only and do no necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
