In March 2016, ACR+ member Brussels-Capital Region adopted the Brussels Regional Program for a Circular Economy 2016 – 2020 (BRPCE), with three general objectives: transform environmental objectives into economic opportunities; relocate the economy to Brussels in order to produce locally whenever possible, reduce travel, optimise land use and create added value for Brussels inhabitants, and help creating employment. The programme includes 111 measures divided into 4 strategic areas (cross-functional measures, sector-based measures, territorial measures and governance measures). Two years later, the first results are already meeting with success as 50% of the 111 measures have already been implemented. Amongst them, the following are worth mentioning:
- “Be circular – be Brussels” call for projects targeting self-employed and businesses to support them in the development of economic activities, directly dedicating around 1.5 million euros a year;
- BruCircle, investment fund in circular economy, with a budget of 1.5 million euros to invest in circular economy SMEs;
- Green4change, a support programme of hub.brussels targeting SMEs willing to move ahead in circular and energy transition;
- CircleMade, the first cluster of circular enterprises aiming to facilitate the development of multistakeholder projects, the access to new markets and the participation in the transition towards a circular economy in Brussels. 30 businesses have already joined CircleMade;
- 222 entrepreneurs have been accompanied in 2016 and 2017, which is already above the original target of 200 start-ups accompanied in 2019.
Other measures, more on the structural side, have also been implemented to boost the installation and the sustainability of circular practices.
More information: www.circulareconomy.brussels