Circularity

Build on what works: join a Circular Cities and Regions Initiative community of practice

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Join one of the new CCRI communities of practice to benefit from focused, in-depth exchanges with other circular frontrunners. Tap into ideas, tools and experience of others on the same path to create better solutions, faster.

News Veronique Van Hoof 18 September 2025

As partner of the Circular Cities and Regions initiative VITO supports the launch of four new communities of practice, each focused on a pressing topic for circular cities and regions.

These small, dedicated groups bring together frontrunner cities and regions for in-depth, practical exchanges. Expect a safe space where you can share what works and what doesn’t, learn from your peers, and build stronger solutions together.

The 4 topics now open for applications:

Monitoring and indicators for the circular economy
Interest in circular metrics is rising, but practical use still lags behind. Explore how to effectively operationalise indicator frameworks, assess your circularity, and evaluate the policy impact of your circular economy actions.
Circular water management
As urbanisation intensifies and climate change amplifies droughts and floods, cities and regions face growing water stress. Explore how circular approaches like reuse, resource recovery and nature-based solutions, can help build more efficient and resilient water cycles.
Social impacts of the circular transition
To build support and succeed, circular strategies must work for people, strengthen communities and create social value. Explore how to design policies that foster equity, belonging, and a just transition, assessing social impacts and engaging diverse communities.
Critical raw materials in cities and regions
As the green and digital transition accelerates, the demand for critical raw materials is growing rapidly. Many of these are embedded in local infrastructure and goods. Explore how circular strategies can help cities and regions recover valuable resources and support local and European targets.

What to expect

You’re in the lead! Each community meets online regularly, but you help shape the format, themes, and focus, to meet your needs. Use your own project as a case, have open and honest discussions with peers doing the same work and leave with fresh ideas you can use immediately.

Why join?

Learn from your peers: Gain valuable insights from other cities and regions tackling the same challenges
Find better solutions faster: Collaborate with peers to address your needs more effectively
Expand your network: Connect with an international community of like-minded partners
Gain fresh perspectives: Discover best practices firsthand and bring proven solutions back to your own community
Create real impact: Work together on outputs such as case studies and policy briefs to support replication, inform policy decisions, and increase your visibility

Who can apply?

European local and regional authorities, their agencies, and publicly owned companies with experience on the chosen circular economy topic are encouraged to apply.