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On this page, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the CCRI. Click on a theme to expand the list of questions. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact the CCRI Helpdesk at helpdesk@circular-cities-and-regions.eu  

What is the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI)?

 

  • 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:

What support is provided to the CCRI community?

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.

What makes the CCRI unique?

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.

What is a Circular Systemic Solution?

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.

What is a Circular Economy Action Plan?

A Circular Economy Action Plan is a strategic document for the implementation of the circular economy in a city, region or territorial cluster. It defines priorities, governance arrangements and implementation pathways to advance the circular economy at territorial level. Action Plans may include one or more concrete circular solutions and serve as a foundation for implementation, replication and investment.

What is a Circular Economy Investment Plan?

A Circular Economy Investment Plan identifies concrete investment needs and opportunities linked to the implementation of their respective Circular Systemic Solution(s) and Circular Economy Action Plan. It helps territories move from strategy to financing by structuring projects in a way that is attractive for public and private investors.

What is the CCRI Office?

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.

What support does the CCRI Office provide?

The CCRI Office offers support to the CCRI community. Its main functions include:

 

  • Supporting cooperation, synergies and complementarities between CCRI Cities and Regions, CCRI Projects, Associated Partners and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Assisting the CCRI cities, regions and territorial clusters with the implementation of their circular systemic solutions, and supporting good practice exchange for upscaling.
  • Analysing the main R&I gaps, but also the main (policy, technical, regulatory…) barriers and drivers to circular economy transition at local and regional scale, and providing policy recommendations to overcome them.
  • Sharing lessons learned from CCRI activities to support dissemination, communication and awareness raising efforts across the wider community.

Does the CCRI Office provide funding?

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:

 

Is the CCRI open to everyone?

Yes. The CCRI community is open to all cities, regions and territorial clusters interested in advancing the circular economy. The initiative is inclusive, and engagement is possible through regular open calls for interest, open events, and participation in various programmes. All CCRI activities are free of charge.

 

Between 2022 and 2025, over 200 cities, regions and territorial clusters were directly involved, alongside hundreds of organisations participating through projects, peer learning and thematic exchanges.

 

Phase II of the CCRI will kick off in Q2 2026, bringing new opportunities for cities and regions to join the CCRI community. This includes joining the next cohort of CCRI Pilots, receiving tailored guidance on implementing specific circular solutions.

 

In the meantime, interested cities/regions can contact the CCRI helpdesk to explore any remaining slots in the following programmes:

 

The best ways to stay updated are to subscribe to the CCRI newsletter, regularly check our LinkedIn account, and explore the CCRI website sections on CCRI Projects and Associated Partners, offering additional support and guidance.

Why does the CCRI focus on cities, regions and territorial clusters?

Cities and regions are closest to citizens, businesses and local ecosystems. They are uniquely positioned to test, implement and scale circular solutions adapted to territorial needs.

 

Territorial clusters bring together circular economy stakeholders – public authorities, businesses, research organisations and civil society – operating within a defined territory and ready to jointly support and implement circular solutions.

How can cities, regions and their partners engage with the CCRI?

Cities, regions and their ecosystem partners can with the CCRI in several ways:

 

 

Updates, open calls, and engagement opportunities are announced primarily via the CCRI website and the LinkedIn channel.

What are the benefits of getting involved in the CCRI?

Cities, regions, and territorial clusters can gain tangible support, knowledge, and visibility by engaging with the CCRI. Key benefits include:

 

  • Peer learning and knowledge exchange – Connect with leading cities and regions through events, workshops, webinars, and thematic exchanges.
  • Guidance and tools for circular economy planning – Receive actionable support for developing and implementing circular systemic solutions, using the CCRI methodology.
  • Access to resources and expertise – Quickly find case studies, best practices, and other materials to address knowledge or capacity gaps via the CCRI Knowledge Repository.
  • Navigation of CCRI support services – Easily explore the CCRI landscape and identify relevant services offered by the CCRI Office and its strategic partners through the CCRI Compass.
  • Funding and financing insights – Get first-hand information on upcoming funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe calls and other relevant programmes.
  • Monitoring and evaluation support – Use a dedicated self-assessment tool to track and evaluate the implementation of circular systemic solutions.
  • Collaboration and networking – Access greater opportunities to cooperate with partner initiatives, projects, and organisations across the circular economy ecosystem.
  • Visibility and recognition – Showcase commitments, actions, and achievements in circular economy transitions to peers, partners, and stakeholders.

What are CCRI Pilots, Fellows and Replicators?

Pilots (Phase I): A limited group of frontrunner territories that tested CCRI approaches between 2022 and 2025.

 

Fellows (Phase I): Territories in earlier stages of transition engaged in peer learning and exchange.

 

Replicators (Phase II): Cities and regions joining from 2026 onwards to replicate and adapt solutions through peer learning.

What are CCRI Projects?

CCRI Projects are research and innovation projects that generate knowledge and practical solutions to support to cities and regions in implementing their circular systemic solutions at local and regional levels.

 

Projects contribute to the CCRI community in multiple ways:

 

  • Demonstrating circular solutions across sectors such as bioeconomy, water, construction, plastics and packaging, textiles, energy, tourism, and sustainable mobility.
  • Sharing knowledge and best practices, including analyses of research results and successful CSS implementations.
  • Providing project development assistance, supporting cities and regions in planning and financing circular economy initiatives.
  • Disseminating relevant insights to inform policy and local/regional circular economy strategies.

 

Examples of demonstration projects include:

 

 

Examples of project development assistance (PDA) projects:

 

 

Check out the full list of CCRI Projects.

What are CCRI Associated Partners?

CCRI Associated Partners are organisations and initiatives that provide additional expertise and support to the CCRI community, complementing the work of the CCRI Office. They include:

 

  • EU initiatives and programmes implemented or supported by the European Commission or other EU institutions;
  • Non-EU organisations, foundations and institutions implementing projects, services, or initiatives that support local circular economy transitions.

 

Associated Partners:

 

  • Provide knowledge and expertise that can be transferred to Pilots, Fellows, and the wider CCRI community.
  • Work closely with the CCRI Office to ensure their activities complement ongoing CCRI efforts and avoid overlap.
  • Benefit from support in communication and dissemination, increasing the impact of their work.

 

Discover all CCRI Associated Partners.

What is the CCRI Helpdesk?

The CCRI Helpdesk is a central contact point for questions related to the initiative, its activities and participation opportunities.

How can I contact the CCRI Helpdesk?

For the time being, the Helpdesk can be contacted by email only: helpdesk@circular-cities-and-regions.eu.

Does the Helpdesk support CCRI-related Horizon Europe applications?

No. The CCRI Helpdesk cannot provide guidance on Horizon Europe calls or projects/proposals.

 

Questions related to EU funding rules and calls should be addressed to the European Commission’s Research Enquiry Service via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Circular Cities & Regions Initiative

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