The BIOREGIO project aims at improving policy instruments through an exchange of experience with a focus on circular economy of biological streams.
Roundtable policy situation discussions among regional stakeholders at the 3rd interregional event in Thessaloniki.
Greece- Central Macedonia
The elaboration of a national CE strategy has been put forward, in view of the strong EU focus and the actual SME orientation towards CE applications and synergies, detected at national and regional level. In this respect, the meantime Deputy Minister of environment and energy presented the main topics of the national strategy for CE and announced a public consultation from 24.5.-26.6.2018. Currently, the CE concept is not broadly addressed in the national legislation.
The Region of Central Macedonia is apparently gaining momentum in the field of CE as numerous SMEs are already demonstrating a considerable interest in developing synergies and implementing relevant projects. This positive development is expected to be reflected in the upcoming version of the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) of the Region of Central Macedonia, which is expected to be updated in a way that incorporates and promotes the effective application of CE principles. The regional efforts are complemented by the region’s participation in the RIS3 “agri-food” JRC platform. The BIOREGIO project is currently advocating for a respective shift in the focus of the Operational Programme for the Region of Central Macedonia 2014-2020.
Finland - Päijät-Häme
Finland’s roadmap to a CE was published in 2016 as the first national roadmap. Hence, involving CE in regional strategies has been promoted. In the region of Päijät-Häme, the regional roadmap to the circular economy was released in 2017 and submitted as a BIOREGIO Good Practice on the Policy Learning Platform. In BIOREGIO, the focus is on “Sustainable growth and jobs 2014 – 2020, Finland's Structural Fund programme” which is also connected to CE in terms of improving the SMEs competitiveness, promote investments, shift to a low-carbon economy, etc.
Roundtable discussion during the 3rd interregional event in Thessaloniki
Spain - Castilla-La Mancha
A national strategy of a circular economy is under preparation, and it is expected by August 2018. Also, a Law on the Circular Economy, expected to be approved by September 2018 and the stakeholders in Castilla-La Mancha region have also proposed the inclusion of circular economy in the upcoming region’s Operational Programme, in order to provide funding for new projects focused on promoting the circular economy. Currently, the focus is on “SO 6.1.1 Development and usage of innovative technologies to improve environmental protection and resource efficiency in waste, water and soil sector; and to reduce air pollution”.
Slovakia - Nitra self-governing region
The National Strategy for Regional and Territorial Development by 2030 is currently being developed together with the regions in 2017-2018. Currently, Nitra region is preparing a plan for the implementation of the updated National Regional Development Strategy by 30.7.2018 .
Romania - South Muntenia
By February 2018, the overall absorption rate of structural and investments funds 2014-2020 in Romania was 4,91%. South Muntenia is the only region in Romania, which has included circular bioeconomy in its regional development strategy for 2014-2020 (RIS3), but the contracts signed so far under the OP (regionally) are mostly for procurement of equipment to diversify SMEs activities and services. The call for SME investments to implement research in partnership with a technology transfer entity is still open (until 25.6.2018). The call aims to support SME in applying CE practices since the equipment is funded at 90% rate. Two more calls under the instrument in focus are still pending.
France – Pays de la Loire
Bioeconomy Strategy for France was launched in January 2018, defining among others the use of natural resources and avoidance of overexploitation. Regionally public policies in favour of a bio-based circular economy are in development and the regional program has been drafted and will be in consultation in early autumn 2018. This program will be adopted in 2019. Additionally, the Regional roadmap on energy transition 2017-2021 is running having as main focus the renewable energy coming from biomass-based energy; bio-waste, agricultural biomass, forest-based biomass.
Development towards the inclusion of the CE and bio-based CE in national and regional strategy documents is taking place in all the involved regions, depending on the existing national plans/laws/policies status and local requirements. The BIOREGIO partners follow up the updates in the field of exchange of experiences as well as the interaction empowered by each other communication constituting them active cooperators in the development and upgrade of bio-based CE in the regional field.
