Here’s what our CCRI Pilot representatives had to say: 

Flanders; Elmar Willems, Policy Officer and Facilitator Circular Economy:

 “Thanks to the CCRI, Circular Flanders has successfully maintained momentum for circularity across the region, co-creating and publishing practical guidance that empowers municipalities to embed circular principles in local climate policies. 

The initiative’s demonstration project in Zoersel not only showcased innovative circular renovation but also delivered measurable energy savings, reduced waste, and increased community engagement – making circular buildings a reality for Flemish cities and towns.” 

Munich; Corinna Hellinger, Head of the Circular Economy Coordination Office:

“The CCRI has enabled us to engage in dialogue with leading municipalities across Europe in the field of circular economy; crucial for the development of our Munich Circular Economy Strategy. 

Thanks to our role as a CCRI Pilot city, we succeeded in bringing Horizon Europe Project ‘CirCoFin’ to Munich to work with other CCRI partners to develop, finance and establish circular construction hubs. We will continue to value this great network of European circular cities in the future. Thank you, CCRI!” 

Gothenburg; Nina Wolf, Circular Strategy Coordinator:

“The CCRI has given us the opportunity to gain more knowledge and exchange experiences with other cities on Industrial and Urban Symbiosis, helping us begin the development work in Gothenburg in practice. Through the CCRI, we have received funding for a pre-study on Circular IT and developed an action plan for Circular IT within the municipality which we are now implementing. 

A major outcome was to develop, test, and implement a Circular Transition Arena. This is now operational, and we have had the opportunity to share our lessons learned with other CCRI participants.” 

1. Empowering circular solutions through collaboration

Collaboration has been central to CCRI’s progress, helping cities and regions learn from one another and build confidence in their circular ambitions. The CCRI Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) played a foundational role in this journey, enabling stakeholders to share best practices, benchmark progress, and gain confidence in pursuing circular strategies. For many participants, the TWGs marked the beginning of their circular transformation, enabling them to apply for external funding and implement projects involving industrial and urban symbiosis. 

As we move forward, this collaborative spirit will continue. The TWGs will be maintained – potentially with refreshed themes and formats to reflect evolving needs, ensuring that cities and regions remain connected and supported in their circular transition. In parallel, the newly launched Communities of Practice (CoPs) will expand these opportunities even further. 

2. Innovative tools & methods driving change

The CCRI has supported the development of practical tools and a comprehensive methodology that help cities and regions advance their circular transition. These include solutions co-created with Pilots, solutions and outputs developed through the CCRI’s funded scheme for additional technical support services, and structured guidance provided by the CCRI Methodology.

For example, digital building logbooks have gained momentum among stakeholders and are now being replicated in other regions. Similarly, the CCRI Self-Assessment Tool received positive feedback during testing and is already helping stakeholders evaluate their progress and guide local strategies.

In addition, a wide range of curated resources relevant to the CCRI community has been made available through the online Resource Repository, offering guidance, case studies, and sector-specific insights to support the replication and scaling of circular solutions.

These tools, methods, and knowledge resources demonstrate the CCRI’s commitment to creating outputs that live beyond the Initiative.

3. Technical assistance with lasting impact

What makes CCRI unique is its tailor-made support for implementing circular solutions, providing targeted guidance and collaboration that addresses each Pilot’s specific context and needs. This approach has proven highly effective for the 12 Pilots selected in 2022, enabling them to move from concept to practical action. Thanks to CCRI’s support, circular solutions are now documented in dedicated “solution booklets”, capturing lessons learned, methodologies, and measurable impacts. These booklets not only celebrate Pilot achievements but also serve as replicable guides to inspire other cities and regions to adopt circular approaches and scale their transition across Europe.

For example, the CCRI’s approach towards circular asset management is now being applied across publicly owned buildings in multiple territories, demonstrating how structured guidance, peer learning, and practical support can embed circularity at a systemic level.

Looking ahead, Phase II will focus on consolidating these results, moving from piloting to full deployment and upscaling. With tested solutions, proven methodologies, and documented success stories, cities and regions are now equipped to accelerate the circular transition across Europe.

Pilot regions have reported tangible benefits, like the Tampere region, which was at risk of its circular economy centre closing. Through the CCRI, they now have a clear path forward, having regained stability and political support. They are setting up task forces to ensure ownership and avoid siloed operations.

Another Pilot, Gothenburg, successfully produced a solution booklet and presented their circular systemic solution at the CCRI event in June. They were also grateful for the CCRI support scheme, which provided them with the opportunity to receive funding and access local experts. These outputs reflect CCRI’s commitment to creating replicable models that extend beyond the initiative itself.

These examples reflect a broader trend: CCRI Pilots are developing replicable circular models ready for transfer to other regions.

Partnerships with the European Investment Bank’s Circular City Centre (C3) and Green Assist have played a crucial role in guiding local circular projects toward financial maturity. By connecting stakeholders with technical advisors, potential investors, and policy experts, the CCRI has helped develop investment-ready pipelines for circular projects across Europe.

Whether by enabling Pilots to benchmark high-readiness technologies, supporting feasibility assessments, or helping build confidence within public administrations, these efforts have ensured that circular systemic solutions move closer to implementation on the ground.

A standout example is the progress toward installing the Deep Purple project’s technology, supported by both public and private European financing, demonstrating how CCRI-supported collaboration can unlock tangible investment opportunities.

Together, these activities reflect the Initiative’s ambition to bridge knowledge sharing with financial pathways, empowering cities and regions to scale up circular action and delivering direct impact for Europe’s green transition.

One of CCRI’s defining strengths has been its emphasis on systemic solutions. Stakeholders valued how the CCRI fostered a flexible environment for experimentation, which allowed for creativity and innovation in circular systemic solutions, suited to local needs.

Additionally, the CCRI strengthened the link between innovation and policymaking, helping ensure insights reached decision-makers, a connection often missing in European R&I projects.

Numerous stakeholder events, exchanges, and networking activities have helped build a committed CCRI community advancing circularity together. These efforts have not only advanced technical solutions but also fostered a shared commitment among policymakers, investors, and practitioners. By aligning diverse actors around circular systemic solutions, the CCRI has demonstrated that technical solutions thrive when supported by strong partnerships.

Phase one of the CCRI has proven that EU funding can successfully support circular knowledge sharing, demonstration, advisory services and investment readiness. The initiative has laid the groundwork for continued progress, demonstrating that with the right tools, networks, and political commitment, circularity is no longer a concept: it is becoming a reality in cities and regions across Europe.

The next phase will build on this, continuing to empower cities and regions to lead Europe’s transition toward a truly circular future.