Circular Labs

Challenges and opportunities

The project has been developed in territories that share important demographic, economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges. The low demographic density and the inequality in its distribution with concentrations in urban centers to the detriment of the rural environment, the scarcity and weakness of the business fabric or the lack of an entrepreneurial culture are realities that Circular Labs has faced with innovative proposals. The actions have sought to promote the development of business initiatives that create employment and are based on new business models based on the circular economy, as an opportunity for a change in mentality, business consolidation and talent retention.

Cross-border cooperation

Cross-border cooperation and joint work have been key to promoting the change from a linear economic model to a circular economic model, especially in the interior of the territory and its rural areas.
The scarcity of resources, tools and methodologies and the necessary adaptation of the physical spaces for entrepreneurship to the new approaches of the circular economy, cannot be addressed only at a local or regional scale, but rather cooperation, common work and exchange of experiences are necessary to make efforts profitable and promote the generation of ideas and knowledge.

Expected results

Organized into 6 blocks of activities, Circular Labs has addressed actions focused on digital tools and others that have generated physical spaces such as Circular Urban and Rural Laboratories, meeting and co-creation spaces where solutions to current needs and challenges are sought.

The results of the project have focused on the training of businessmen and entrepreneurs through training, as a transversal line of work. Networks between spaces have been promoted to promote entrepreneurship and publicize circular economy projects. A Market Place has made it possible to make companies and their products or services visible, support networking and generate a community of circular companies.

The Urban and Rural Laboratory spaces seek to be a meeting point and the creation of solutions through collaboration between all sectors, the private initiative, the administration and citizens.