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Sectors: Bioeconomy Industry Waste management Cross-sectoral

CircularInvest - Powering access to investment for next generation circular economy initiatives in cities and regions

Updated on 18.03.2025

CircularInvest is an initiative designed to support circular economy project developers across Europe, helping them secure the resources needed to build impactful projects at the local and regional scale and close investments. Led by INOVA+, META, Circle Economy and ICLEI Europe, CircularInvest was created as part of the CCRI-PDA framework.

 

Topic ID: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01-01: Circular Cities and Regions Initiative’s project development assistance (CCRI-PDA)
Grant agreement ID: 101081845
Countries: Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Italy
Start and end date: 01.11.2022 - 31.10.2026
Budget: 1 999 800 EUR
Type of action: Coordination and support action (CSA)

More Information

CircularInvest’s approach will roll out in four stages: 

  • Ignition: promoting and launching calls for expressions of interest to attract circular economy project promoters. 
  • Selection: conducting an independent and inclusive selection to identify project promoters (beneficiaries) to receive PDA support. 
  • Technical assistance: delivering PDA services based on a three-pillar-approach:

a) one-to-one tailored specialised services: Specialised support from experts to beneficiaries; 
b) many-to-one, peer-to-peer workshops: Collaborative sessions where beneficiaries support each other; 
c) many-to-many, knowledge transfer and networking actions: Opportunities for beneficiaries to connect with investors, other circular economy project promoters, and relevant stakeholders. 

  • Replication: distilling lessons learned and preparing the pathway for future replication through six key exploitable results: (K1) Step-by-Step Guide for de-risking future CE investment projects; (K2) Policy recommendations for effective CE investments policies across Europe; (K3) Circular Investor guide to build investor trust; (K4)Community of Practicefor knowledge exchange among CE investments promoters; (K5) Business cases supporting CE solutions replication and financing; (K6) Pipeline of CE investment opportunities eligible for PDA support after the project. 

Leading organisation/partner

INOVA+ - INNOVATION SERVICES, SA 

Regions involved

Currently supporting projects from Norway, Slovenia, Romania, Germany, and France. 

Scope and objectives

CircularInvest aims to provide project development assistance (PDA) to circular economy project promoters from across Europe, helping then secure the resources needed to build impactful projects at the local and regional scales and to close the investments during the action. 

Key services provided by the project

Services that will be provided to CE promoters that aim a regional and local impact: 

 

  • Advancing Circular Solutions; 

  • Fundraising; 

  • Business planning; 

  • Legal and regulation support. 

Key messages for project promoters

CircularInvest aims to help project promoters attract investments to develop impactful circular economy projects and advance the status of circularity in European cities and regions. The project offers free tailor-made support to assist project promoters in: 

 

  • Optimising circularity; 
  • Developing a business plan; 
  • Raising funds 
  • Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape. 

 

CircularInvest set-up the Circular Investment-readiness Network (CIRN), a Community of Practice serving as a platform for learning and knowledge exchange. The CIRN brings together project promoters, investors and local and regional public administrations to share good practices and insights, fostering successful investments in the circular economy. 

Description of future collaboration with CCRI-CSO

  • Share information and knowledge of the project with CCRI-CSO;  
  • Take an active part in CCRI support activities of Pilot and Fellow cities and regions; 
  • Participate in CCRI events. 

Main project stakeholders

Circular Economy Project Promoters  

 

Examples: 

 

  • Utility companies (e.g. waste and water management enterprises); 
  • Local municipalities & regional authorities; 
  • Intermunicipal management services; 
  • Universities & research centres; 
  • Environmental, technology and R&D organisations; 
  • Private enterprises (e.g. construction companies, architects, etc.); 
  • Non-profit associations. 

Participants

  • META GROUP SRL 

  • STICHTING CIRCLE ECONOMY 
  • ICLEI EUROPEAN SECRETARIAT GMBH (ICLEI EUROPASEKRETARIAT GMBH)  
  • INOVA+, INNOVATION SERVICES S.A.