European regions unite to drive circular economy innovation

ACR+ together with forty representatives from twelve European regions, including ACR+ members Government of Navarra, Provincie Fryslan, Region Normandie, and Wallonia,  met in Groningen for the third in-person consortium meeting of the European Circular Innovation Valley (ECIV), advancing interregional collaboration for Europe’s circular economy transition. Key outcomes included a data-driven regional mapping tool that analyses patents, investments, and research to identify each region’s circular economy strengths and ideal partners, as well as approval of ECIV’s first call for innovation projects (scheduled to be launched in December 2025), moving from planning to concrete implementation.

Participants also explored practical innovation examples through site visits to Vepa Furniture Factory, Sympany textiles sorting, the Biosintrum knowledge centre, and the Greenwise campus, highlighting effective circular solutions. Focusing on construction, packaging, and textiles, thematic working groups fostered coordinated European action. The meeting enabled stakeholders to actively shape ECIV’s long-term direction, providing data-driven tools, successful practice examples, and a partnership platform to build Europe’s largest interregional circular innovation ecosystem.

More: www.eciv.eu