The report starts with a description of the Dutch financial landscape and the country’s wide array of financiers and their specific role in the economy, including examples. It then analyses the way the financial sector assesses requests for finance and the specific problems that circular entrepreneurs run into, especially those using a Product-as-a-Service (PSS) business model.

It highlights which complications and opportunities this model brings to financiers. With these obstacles in mind, six guidelines are set out to help financiers thrive in a circular economy and we conclude with reflecting remarks. The guidelines promote assessing different securities, emphasising relationship-based financing, valuing natural capital gains, becoming a knowledge partner, having a long-term vision, and becoming a financial chain director.

Despite the paper being based on the Dutch financial landscape, the guide is a good source for cities and regions to understand the way financiers make financial decisions, what the key challenges related to financing PSS business models are, as well as the roles that financiers can play in the circular economy.

Understanding these can support cities and regions in finding ways to engage financiers in the development of local Circular Systemic Solutions and having more constructive discussions with these stakeholders (e.g. in relation to financing Circular Systemic Solutions or their specific elements).