Local and regional authorities across Europe are increasingly committed to the circular economy, yet many still ask the same question: what does implementation look like in practice? A new publication of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) presents circular systemic solutions which were implemented by twelve Circular Pilot Cities and Regions from 2022-2025. Providing concrete answers and pathways for replication, the pilot solutions span different territorial contexts – from small municipalities to large regions – and cover a wide range of value chains, including construction and the built environment, circular resource management, bioeconomy and nutrient recovery, consumer goods, packaging and food systems.
From 2023 until 2025, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative has supported 12 European cities and regions to test what it really takes to turn circular economy ambition into practical, local and systemic solutions. Their examples in developing Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS) across various sectors and focus priorities form the foundation of this booklet. This compilation brings together the insights and solutions developed through the CCRI Pilot programme between January 2023 and October 2025. It highlights not only what the Pilots achieved, but how they did it: the partnerships they built, the barriers they faced, the tools they used and developed and the lessons that can help others accelerate their own transitions.
On 16 October, 15 Hydrogen Valleys were awarded Project Development Assistance (PDA) from Hydrogen Valleys Facility to help further develop and strengthen their project concepts. ERRIN is pleased to note that 11 of these Valleys are located in ERRIN member regions.
The European Week of Regions and Cities will once again serve as a leading platform for dialogue on regional and urban policy in Europe. ERRIN is pleased to announce that its members will be strongly represented in this year’s programme, with sessions addressing a wide range of topics.
40 Regions and Communities, including 14 from ERRIN Member regions, have begun their 18-month journey with the Pathways2Resilience Project, in which ERRIN is a partner. The regions will undertake a programme to produce a climate resilience strategy, action plan and an accompanying investment plan to move towards transformative climate adaptation.
On 12 October, the European Commission awarded the first ten European cities with the Label of ‘EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities’ for their plans to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030. The EU Mission Label symbolises a crucial milestone, not only recognising the comprehensive plans of these cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 but also serves as a catalyst for facilitating access to both public and private funding to support these ambitious goals.