The Valencia Region is the first Spanish region selected by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to participate in a European study on circularity policies.

This project will be developed in 2024. The OECD will provide ten European cities and regions with diagnoses and solutions on circular economy so that they can design and implement policies to facilitate the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. It is part of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), in which the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (Ivace) participates on behalf of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Specifically, next June, a mission of experts will travel to Valencia to analyse, in collaboration with the Industrial Symbiosis Observatory of the Valencian Region, the situation of the circular economy in the Region.

The regional secretary for Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Felipe Carrasco, has met with representatives of the European Commission and the OECD, to whom he has conveyed the Valencian government’s “firm commitment” to the development of policies to promote the circular economy “that will allow us to have sovereignty, both in terms of energy and the supply of raw materials”.

“A good orientation of policies to support the circular economy is key to achieving its progressive implementation and standardisation beyond isolated success stories. The direct support provided by the European Commission through the CCRI initiative, providing us with models of circular economy solutions successfully developed in other environments, as well as funding in programmes such as Horizon Europe, Life or Interreg, is gradually extending circularity solutions in our productive sectors”, he added.

First CCRI Conference in Brussels

The European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is being launched in 2022 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation in the framework of the European Union’s 2020 Action Plan for the Circular Economy.

It aims to support Europe’s green transition by boosting circularity at local and regional level through collaboration. The CCRI involves 37 European cities and regions selected by the European Commission, including the Valencian Community, represented by Ivace Innovación.

The participation of the Valencian Region in this initiative will consolidate its position as a leader in the circular economy, take advantage of the experience of other members to improve strategies in this area and promote cooperation between companies and organisations.