• The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is a European Commission initiative, launched by DG Research and Innovation under the Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 . It supports Europe’s cities, regions and territorial clusters in accelerating the transition towards a circular, competitive and climate-neutral economy.
• The CCRI focuses on the implementation and scaling-up of circular solutions at territorial level, supporting concrete action, investment readiness and systemic change. It contributes to key EU priorities, including:
  • European Green Deal
  • European Bioeconomy Strategy
  • Clean Industrial Deal

Funded by the European Commission, the CCRI Office acts as the central hub of the CCRI ecosystem. It supports the implementation and coordination of CCRI activities, helping cities, regions, and territorial clusters transition towards a circular economy.

The CCRI Office is a multidisciplinary team of experts in circular economy and works closely with CCRI Pilots, Fellows, Replicators, Projects, and Associated Partners.

The first phase of the CCRI Office ran from 2022 to 2025. During the second phase (2026–2029), the CCRI Office will continue expanding its support to more cities and regions across Europe.

Learn more on the CCRI office.

The CCRI supports the entire circular economy journey of cities and regions – from strategy development to implementation, replication and investment.

Support includes:

• Coordination, guidance and technical assistance provided through the CCRI Office, including advisory support on circular economy governance and implementation pathways;
• Financial assistance mobilised through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, in the form of EU grants for circular economy demonstration projects and project development assistance (over €280 million supported during 2022–2025);
• Additional technical assistance and investment support, including services delivered by the European Investment Bank (EIB), its Circular City Centre (C3) and other dedicated EU facilities supporting circular economy investments;
• Peer learning and capacity building through Communities of Practice, twinning, mentoring and thematic exchanges;
• Connections to a wide ecosystem of European initiatives, networks, experts and Associated Partners active in circular economy implementation.

The CCRI Compass helps navigate this support landscape and identify relevant services and opportunities.

Learn more about the CCRI office.

The CCRI is unique in its systemic, place-based and implementation-oriented approach.

It brings together cities and regions, EU-funded projects, knowledge providers, financial institutions and policy actors within a single European framework. By combining strategic guidance, peer learning, technical expertise and access to funding instruments and financing advisory, the CCRI helps territories move from pilot projects to full implementation.

A strong emphasis is placed on replication, upscaling and investment readiness, ensuring that circular solutions can be sustained beyond pilot phases and deployed across Europe.

In the context of the CCRI, a Circular Systemic Solution is a concrete initiative that applies circular economy principles across value chains, sectors, and stakeholders within a specific territory.

These solutions:

• Integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions;
• Engage multiple actors, including public authorities, businesses/SMEs, research organisations, and civil society;
• Go beyond waste management to tackle production, consumption, governance, and investment challenges;
• Are designed for long-term impact and replication.

No, the CCRI Office itself does not provide funding to the CCRI community. Financial support for CCRI activities is provided through Horizon Europe and other European Commission funding programmes. This includes competitive calls for circular economy demonstration projects and project development assistance under Horizon Europe.

The CCRI supports cities and regions in navigating the various funding and financial opportunities through dedicated advisory services, including: the Pilot Support Programme, the Project Development Assistance (PDA) Projects and the EIB’s Circular City Centre (C3).

Learn more about these services via the CCRI Compass. 

Further resources:

• List of CCRI projects already funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe
• EU Funding and Tenders Portal: central access point for information on funding opportunities
• European Commission’s Research Enquiry Service: dedicated support team to answer questions on Horizon Europe calls for proposals and related procedures
• Partner Search: the official European Commission tool to help you identify and connect with potential projects partners.