“On 15 April, in Paris, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – together with the European Commission – co-hosted two sessions on the circular economy in European cities and regions. The sessions, which gathered over 100 policymakers and experts showcased circular economy initiatives across EU cities and regions, providing valuable insights and lessons to support the transition to a circular economy across Europe.

Held as part of the first-ever OECD Urban Days, the event marked the official launch of the OECD report on The Circular Economy in Cities and Regions of the European Union and featured the presentation of 10 newly developed circular economy scans for selected CCRI Fellows: Berlin (Germany), Central Macedonia (Greece), Eurométropole of Strasbourg (France), Jyväskylä (Finland), Matosinhos (Portugal), Møre and Romsdal (Norway), Sofia (Bulgaria), Valencia Region (Spain), Western Region (Ireland), and Zuid-Holland (Netherlands).

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of circular economy practices, challenges, and opportunities in cities and regions, building on a survey of 64 cities and regions of the EU, lessons learned from the 10 CCRI fellows, and concludes with policy recommendations to accelerate a territorial approach to the circular economy for place-based policies that are aligned with EU-wide goals.