The main goal of the Masterplan 100% Climate Protection is to define strategies and measures to cut down greenhouse emissions to 10% compared to 1990 and to up to 2040 and to halve the end-energy consumption up to 2040. The fields of action are energy production, energy consumption, mobility and life habits. One subgoal is to establish circular economy as well in the industrial as in the agricultural sector. Since circular economy affects consumer products and food as well, the measures affect the civil society, the agriculture and industry. In the industrial sector there are several approaches to establish a circular economy, e.g. in construction-waste-recycling. Concerning consumer products initiatives like repair cafés have been set up. Some producing companies offer products which allow a disassembly and material recycling of the components. In the agricultural sector there are some farmers who changed their farming to organic standards.
The District of Giessen has an "Board for Climate Protection and Energy". This board monitors all activities in the field of sustainable development and supports the District in the development and implementation of local policies. For further increasing the use of the iCEAR project, IfLS will become a permanent member of the "Board for Climate Protection and Energy". It will formalise the collaboration between IfLS and the District of Giessen and fosters continuity.

The Baixo Alentejo Strategic Development Plan (PEDBA) materialises the Integrated Strategy for Territorial Development for the Baixo Alentejo NUTS III region and coincides with the implementation of the programming periods of the European Structural and Investment Funds in Portugal. It is a policy instrument that helps to integrate regional strategy and EU objectives to sub regional level and at the same time to mobilise the FEEI resources of local intermunicipal community to implement the strategy adopted.
PEDBA prioritize the strengthening the business environment, territorial pact for employability and entrepreneurship, network for inclusion and promotion of social development and infrastructure and environmental services network directly contributes to the implementation initiatives for more sustainable and innovative systems. It foresees interventions related to services and their integration in the specific context development of innovative solutions and pilot actions in the field of sustainable development and resource efficiency.
PEDBA strategic objectives that support the project topic is the ones dedicated to the supporte to the transition to a low-carbon economy and the preservation, protection of the environment and promotion of the efficient use of resources.

The overall aim of the Ballyhoura North Cork LDS 2023-2027 is to create ‘capacitated and resilient communities, individuals and businesses that are i) Inclusive and Connected ii) Environmentally Sustainable and lead to a iii) Diversified Economy’. The LDS seeks to create awareness, animate, engage and build capacity, among identified target groups to increase participation in locally led development activities.

The LDS Local Objectives include 1. The Green Economy and Actions 1.1 Rethinking Food Systems Bio & Circular Economy and 1.2 Recapturing Value of the Circular Economy.
The community led development methodology seeks to optimise available traditional knowledge, culture, and practices and build a local circular and bio economy value chain and business models.

In delivering the LDS, capacity building activities will focus on improving levels of human and social capital. These are critical in creating and supporting knowledge, innovation and new services in the local economy. Priorities for the LDS include (i)Restructuring local sectors and businesses to foster innovation and adoption of new technologies; (ii) Enabling the transition of local towns and villages to a just and green society and economy; (iii) Enabling the transition of a strong and diverse agri-food bio economy and (iv)Building the capacity of groups and embedding structures to ensure sustainable development.

The Policy Instrument addressed in the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) 2021-2027 of the Region of Central Macedonia, and the Policy Responsible Authority is the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM). The Programme was approved by the European Commission on 05/09/2022 and is the main financial instrument to support development policy in the Region of Central Macedonia for the programming period 2021-2027. The Programme has a total budget of EUR 1,440 million in terms of public expenditure and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF+).
The Programme's resources are directed to financing actions under the 5 main EU Policy Objectives:
Policy Objective 1 (PO): "A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity".
PO 2: "A greener and more resilient low-carbon Europe and on the way to a net zero carbon economy, by promoting a fair transition to clean energy, green and blue investments, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility".
PO 3: "A more connected Europe through enhanced mobility".
PO 4: "A more social and inclusive Europe through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights ".
PO 5: "A Europe closer to its citizens by promoting sustainable and integrated development of all territorial types and local initiatives "

The strategy covers a functionally connected area of 11 municipalities and was developed in close cooperation with the local LAG partnership, stakeholders from the public and private sectors, the interested public, and municipal representatives. It identifies development directions and measures to realize the region's potential and address key problems. The strategy leverages connections between local sectors to maximize multiplier effects, creating an integrated, multi-sectoral approach.
The key development priorities focus on four measures: promoting entrepreneurial, (eco)agricultural, and (eco)tourism activities; developing green public areas and multi-purpose facilities; preserving the natural environment and cultural heritage; and enhancing social inclusion and rural services.The strategy devotes a few words to the circular economy, but does not highlight it. In the SWOT analysis, it presents the problems related to this topic and area, it is mentioned only as part of a larger specific goal and only as a proposal for measures: e.g. raising awareness about the correct handling of biological and other waste in households, activities to reduce the amount of food waste, reuse, recycling, second hand, promoting the processing of biological waste (e.g. pyrolysis, compost).

Currently the climate strategy aims to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions towards neutrality in 2035, promoting sustainable practices within the region. The strategy has a multi-stakeholder approach, involving collaboration between local government, businesses, residents, and other stakeholders. The measures are listed according to cost and responsible party, implementation, estimated effect and indicators for success. The current strategy isn´t directly aiming on circular economy although it is mentioned, and has no specific goals for circularity. Our participation in this project aims to develop collaboration between the public and private sector and joint implementation of circularity in the public sector in the region.
The strategy is divided into cross-sectorial, direct and indirect measures that are prioritized in order to achieve its objectives:
a. Energy Efficiency
b. Renewable Energy
c. Sustainable Transportation
d. Waste Management: Implementing strategies to reduce waste generation, increase recycling rates, and minimize landfilling, reducing methane emissions and promoting a circular economy.
e. Land Use and Planning: Incorporating climate considerations into land use planning and urban development.
f. Education and Further Education:
The climate strategy is a roadmap for how the region transitions to a sustainable and climate-smart society where rural and urban areas work together and where circular economy becomes the new normal.

2.1.2 EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE OPOLSKIE VOIVODESHIP
2.1.2.5 (vi) Specific objective
(vi) Supporting the transformation towards a circular and resource-efficient economy
Measure FEOP.02.05 Waste and circular economy
Relevant types of projects:
- Creating strategies, plans, road maps regarding circular economy, pilot studies and redesigning material flows, raw materials at the local level, zero waste strategies.
- Professional consulting and training support, environmental audits and techno-economic analyses aimed at preparing the company to transition from a linear model to circular.
- Education in the field of the circular economy, including new consumption models and waste management hierarchy.
2.1.1 EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR INCREASING INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE OPOLSKIE REGION
(iii) Strengthening the sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and creating jobs in SMEs, including through productive investment
Measure FEOP.01.07 Competitive Opole Voivodeship
Relevant types of projects:
- Investments at SMEs from the Southern Subregion (counties: Głubczyce, Nysa and Prudnik).
- Vouchers to SMEs for professional services provided by accredited business environment institutions.
-- Developing business environment institutions competences in order to professionalise services and obtain accreditation
- Creating a network of entities offering support for people running businesses

Our Regional Operational Program (ROP) aims to fulfill 4 Strategic Objectives of the European Union, including a greener, more resilient and low-carbon Europe, which is the 3rd axis of our ROP. Within this axis, several measures target specifically the circular economy, to empower territorial stakeholders in their transitions :
Action n°22: Pilots projects for waste prevention, re-use and recycling – aims to finance circular economy hubs to progress towards a better resource-efficiency
Action n°23: Support to data collection projects on circular economy & waste – finances studies that will support a integrated data system
7 priorities have been defined for the ROP, and circular economy echoes directly to the energy and ecological transition priority (n°3) but also to other priority areas, such as companies competitiveness (n°1), professionnal orientation and social economy (n°5) and attractivity & territorial cohesion (n°6)
Hence, there are also measures explicitly including circular economy within their scope even though it is not their primary target, such as:
Action n°8: Reinforcing, diversifying companies and industries production capacity & industrializing innovation
Action n°9: Structuring industrial sectors by supporting innovation drivers
Action n°14: Bolstering programs that support economic stakeholders in their transition / conversion of their activities to be more sustainable
More than 20 millions euros are dedicated to these 5 actions.