Do you want to foster urban circularity? Then bioeconomy - and in particular the bio-waste recycling sector - are keys to foster material and value loops. Various projects funded under the Horizon2020 scheme work towards circular innovation in the bio-waste sector, leading the way for others to follow. The Circular Cities Declaration support partner CSCP works in two ambitious projects in that realm: SCALIBUR and HOOP.

After four fruitful years, the SCALIBUR project is coming to an end with many valuable lessons for cities and regions to learn from and to be inspired by. The SCALIBUR project worked together with cities located in Spain (Madrid), Greece (Kozani) and Italy (Albano Laziale). CCD signatory cities in the same national context can learn from the interesting outcomes. The action manuals, for instance, show the main learnings to foster local uptake of circular bio-waste practices in each of the national contexts. From templates to engage the main stakeholders to learnings on how to deal with policy issues, a big variety of practical tools for cities, also more general and hence beyond those three countries, is provided. In line with this, inspiring story books have been published showcasing how local circularity can be taken up by key motivated stakeholders within cities. From the collection of bio-waste to technical aspects of the valorisation of bio-waste or learnings on how to involve all stakeholders along the value chains, there are many resources brought forward by the SCALIBUR project that will remain available for those aiming to improve their own urban circular bioeconomies.

In the same spirit, the HOOP project (running 2020 to 2024) already produced many useful results to take up for cities and regions. Especially the networking and replication centred approach should bring joy to circular cities and regions. A total of 8 HOOP lighthouse cities and regions from across Europe showcase how a vast variety of actions could look like. At the core of this replication action is the HOOP network which aims at connecting the HOOP lighthouses with other interested cities and regions to collaborate on many levels and topics. This includes exchange activities such as study tours and monthly lunch talks on various topics from the project, a circularity label to assess the circularity status quo of your city/ region, the virtual academy and the Urban Circular Bioeconomy Hub. All these tools, platforms and formats follow the goal of helping all cities, regions and initiatives that want to join the HOOP network and connecting them to the innovators at the forefront of the sustainability transition.

Finally, the network offers many opportunities for direct engagement and live visits. Just around the corner, in November 2022, HOOP network members will have a chance to conduct a study visit, including site visits and the participation in stakeholder engagement events in the HOOP lighthouse region of Greater Porto in Portugal (also a CCD signatory city). For those looking for a spontaneous opportunity to be part of Europe’s leading project on urban circular bioeconomy, the invitation to join the free-of-charge network – and hence the study tour - remains open. For more information visit the HOOP website or reach out to the CSCP under biowasteclub@cscp.org. To join the HOOP network, make sure to approach HOOP network manager Serena Lisai (sli@acrplus.org)