ArthurtenWolde,CircularEconomyExpertEcopreneur.eu&DeGroeneZaak

Brussels,EuropeanGreenParty20November2017WGREGIStakeholdermeeting

TheroleoftheCohesionPolicyinpromotingtheCircularEconomy:asustainableSMEperspective

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Ecopreneur.eu and the circular economy

Experience of circular economy pioneers –our member companiesWe….• AremarketleaderswithCEproducts&services• Generateprofitablefinancials,productand

marketinnovation,newbusinessmodels+jobs

But…• Lackofdemandpullforcircularproductsand

services,especiallyfrompublicprocurement• Lackoftransparencythroughthevaluechain• ForSMEs:accesstofundingtoinvestincircular

innovationorturnaround

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Main asks for strong Circular Economy policies in Europe

Marketpullmeasures&designrequirementsneededtodriveinnovationtowardscircularproductsandservices:

1. CircularProcurement:massivetrainingprogram2. Clearpriceincentives forproducersandconsumerstofostercircularity

byExtendedProducerResponsibility(EPR),taxshiftandVAT

- includingincentivesfore.g.theuptakeofsecondaryrawmaterialsandforBestAvailableSolutionsperproductgroup

3. Regulation:Minimumrequirements forcirculardesignofall(end)productsintheEcodesigndirective

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Policies for the circular economy: overall ambition

• Goal=implementation ofambitiouspoliciesforcircularprocurement,economicincentives(EPR,taxshift,VAT),ecodesignregulationandtransparency

• IncreaseenthusiasmforthecirculareconomyinallmemberstatesbyusingallexistingEUpolicyinstrumentstocreateanetworkofambassadorsinallMemberStates

• Createawarenessoftheopportunitiesofthecirculareconomy,investmentsandconnecting suppliers,bydiscussingthiswithnationalstakeholders

• Increasebottom-upinitiatives,createnationalCEhubsandGreenDeals,aswellassupportfortop-downpolicymeasures

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Policies for the circular economy – some regional aspects• EuropeanCircularEconomy

StakeholderPlatform(ECESP)• EnterpriseEuropeNetwork

(EEN)• DGREGIOresponsiblefor

Procurement• Moresupportespeciallyneeded

inEastern&SouthernEurope

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Cohesion Policies basics

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The importance of Cohesion Policies for the circular economy (1) : overview

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The importance of Cohesion Policies for the circular economy (2) : input Ecopreneur.eu• FocusonEuropeanCommissionambassadors

withphysicalpresenceandmeetingswithstakeholdersinthememberstates

• UseexistingEUinstrumentstocreateseparateannualcallsforlocal,regional,nationalorEUconsortiaofNGOs,companiesandauthoritiestocreateorboost:

- circulareconomyhubs- greendealsoncircularprocurement,extendedproducerresponsibilityorlocaltaxation- Transparencyinstruments(e.g.materialspassports)

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The importance of Cohesion Policies for the circular economy (3) : input Ecopreneur.eu

• LeveragefundinginstrumentsfromtheEUforCE,e.g.LIFEProgramme

• Guaranteeagrantifthequalitycriteriaaremet

• Focusonconcreteresults,minimizeresearch

• Requirebestpracticesexchangeandnetworkingwithothermemberstates

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