The aim of the GREENCYCLE project is to introduce a circular economy system (alternative to the linear model) as an integrated approach to support the implementation of low-carbon strategies and the additional reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in partner cities. The introduction of a circular economy will help to reduce the use of energy and water, recover the most important raw materials, reduce transport, encourage eco-innovations, and last but not least, create green jobs, which addresses the challenges of citizens with lower incomes and pursues priority axis 2 of the Interreg program of the Alpine Region program. Cities, as one of the largest emitters and consumers of energy and raw materials, will play a pioneering role in the implementation of circular economy strategies. Key target groups will be actively involved in the process: public companies, small and medium-sized companies, citizens, research institutions.
A supporting toolkit will be developed in the form of a publicly available e-tool, which will enable the planning, management and monitoring of the key processes of the circular economy. An important part of the project is aimed at the implementation of pilot practices, through which the partner cities will have the opportunity to test and evaluate realistic scenarios for the introduction of the circular economy. In order to achieve high efficiency of the circular economy, it is essential to achieve a critical mass of raw materials, for which a macroeconomic approach is key.
In order to establish an international market with key raw materials, an international platform will be developed. This will also represent a place for the active integration of regional coordinators of the circular economy into a member network and enable the further development of the circular economy in the area of the Alps. In this way, the partner cities will become beacons of good circular economy practices that will inspire and encourage other cities and regions on the circular economy path.
