Make value chains circular across European regional innovation strategies
The vouchers were used to get support services by technology disruptors, which are entities (such as Research and Technology Organisations – RTOs – and Disruptive SMEs) bringing enabling technologies to SMEs and helping them to develop their Technology Readiness Level (normally from TRL 5 or 6 to TRL 7 or 9), in order to boost their transition from linear towards circular economy economic models. When speaking about enabling technologies, the focus was on the following areas:
Digital Technologies, such as sensing, computing, big data, analytics, cyber security, blockchain…
Engineering, such as 3D printing, Modular design, Industry 4.0, Robotics, Advanced recycling, Traceability, Disinfection…
Hybrid Materials, like for example life and material sciences, nanotechnologies…
The Marketplace is still ongoing
To this end, C-VoUCHER invited technology disruptors to sign-up and become a member of C-VoUCHER community, so that they could include their description in the C-VoUCHER collection “Services & Solutions“. SMEs taking part in C-VoUCHER’s Circularity Program, and the designers-in-residence supporting them, used the descriptions in this catalogue to search for and identify technology offers which matched their needs.
A practical legacy for regional development agencies
Now, as the Project has just come to an end, the full impact of over 39 months of activities and innovation in the field of Circular Economy is yet to be seen.
Beyond the project end, the circular solutions and business cases that C-Voucher has supported, through the implementation of two programs, the Circularity Programme and the Circularity Value Replication Programme, and with the combined efforts of all partners, will still continue to develop, demonstrating how valuable the transition of SMEs towards Circular Economy is to achieving sustainability in European.
Some of the 54 cases were showcased on the 25th and 26th of May 2021 during C-Voucher final event, which may be seen by searching for “Circular Economy Powwow”. There were, however, many other participants who were not there. C-Voucher is proud of each and every one of them. For those who are curious, C-Voucher Online Community has dedicated 2 special collections to its alumni available online: Circularity Solutions and Circular Business Cases . They include brief descriptions of their stories to inspire anyone interested in Circular Economy and will allow the community members to get in contact with the participants either by reacting in the comments section or by sending a direct message to the companies posting. With beneficiaries across 15 European countries, collaboration and partnering opportunities will hopefully come up.
Are you a regional authority planning to help SMEs in your region in their transition towards becoming circular businesses? Are you looking for tools and methodologies? If yes, You’re in the right place! The Calibration Programme organised in March 2021 was the way from C-Voucher of passing on the good practices and learnings hence helping to inspire other regions to do something similar. The programme consisted of a series of 7 webinars to present C-voucher approach and share tips and good practices
More information
C-Voucher Online Community, a circularity open space, that it is alive after the project end to make it possible to stay in touch with C-Voucher partners and, for other organisations interested in boosting Circular Economy
Circular Design Toolkit created from C-Voucher experience these years and offered to those working in Circular Economy in the coming years so that it can be reused, thus making it doubly circular.
Contact people
Manuel París or Virginia Vidal
Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN)
Tlf: +34 981957043
c-voucher.helpdesk(at)fundingbox.com
