Priority Axis 1: Innovative Finland
Specific Objective 1.1: Improving research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
PA 2: Carbon neutral Finland
SO 2.6: Promoting the transition to a circular economy

The Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme supports innovation, competence development and inclusion in line with sustainable development. The cross-cutting priorities of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme are sustainable development, gender equality, non-discrimination, digital development, internationalisation, climate change and innovation. These priorities are part of all measures. Priority axis Carbon neutral Finland (ERDF) aim is to promote energy efficiency and the circular economy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The special objectives are

Carbon neutral Finland (priority area 2)

2.1 Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

2.2 Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and disaster prevention and resilience

2.3 Promoting the transition to a circular economy

Međimurje County Development Plan (2021-2027) is a basic strategic document for the purpose of planning the development of economic and social development of the County. The development plan follows up the National development Plan and S3 strategy. The development plan is the basis for helping to direct development processes in the county to: improve conditions for sustainable development, increase the competitiveness of the county’s economy, develop human resources, preserve cultural heritage, protect the environment and achieve higher quality of life and satisfaction of all citizens. Starting from the development needs, but also the possibilities of the County, the development plan determines the vision, strategic goals, priorities and measures, the framework and the necessary basis for preparation, financing and implementation of development projects, which are one of the key drivers of change in the economy and society.

In the current document under specific objective 1.1 Competitive and innovative economy (measures M 1.1.2, M 1.1.3 and M 1.1.4), we have already stated the importance of sustainable business models and the circular economy. We believe that as the next step this should be expanded with more specific actions and by by identifying good practices in sustainable production and manufacturing and sharing experience and knowledge between industries in European regions.

The policy objectives of RCM’s ROP 2021-2027 and its specific objectives that aim at promoting the transition to a circular economy in the region are the following:

Policy objective 1: A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity.

Specific objective: RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments.

Policy Objective 2: "A greener and more resilient low-carbon Europe and on the way to a net zero carbon economy, by promoting a fair transition to clean energy, green and blue investments, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility".

Specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy.
Strengthening and diversifying the embedded industries of production and services in order to improve their capacity for the benefit of the regional economy. Achieve appropriate synergies that will lead to enhanced competitiveness, extroversion of penetration into international value chains, reduction of the environmental footprint and adoption of circular economy actions. Create adequate horizontal structures aimed at stimulating and supporting all SMEs. Supporting business activity against unforeseen risks.

The policy instrument that will be reviewed within the project is the Ostrava City Strategic Development Plan and its action plans. Action plan is an essential part of Ostrava City Strategic Development Plan, and it is updated on the yearly basis. Action plan contains specific projects, and their fulfilment helps to achieve the strategic goals.

The plan contains two strategic goals connected to circular economy: 1) Enhancing the business environment and 2) Bringing the city closer to nature. As the region has the lowest number of entrepreneurs per 1000 habitants in Czech Republic, and with connection of industrial history, City of Ostrava aims to support sustainability and businesses towards circular economy.

In the DeCo project, the Ostrava strategic plan and its action plan will be reviewed in order to implement good practices gained in the project, and involve circular design into the Moravian-Silesian companies‘ production.

On February 4, 2021, the Walloon Government adopted Circular Wallonia, the first circular economy deployment strategy in the Walloon Region. Circular Wallonia aims to coordinate, strengthen and amplify the regional circular economy dynamic. The strategy comprises 10 ambitions translated into 60 specific measures designed to facilitate the circular transition of Wallonia's economic players. It is based on participative and flexible governance to ensure effective implementation of actions.

Through the Circular Wallonia strategy, the Walloon Region plans to move towards an economy that is:
- carbon-neutral
- regenerative in the use of resources and preserving biodiversity ;
- resilient and inclusive;
- stimulating innovation and digital transition.

Circular Wallonia focuses its action on 6 priority value chains:
- Construction and buildings ;
- Water ;
- Metallurgy (including rare metals and batteries);
- Textiles;
- Food and food systems;
- Plastics.
- Biobased economy.

Design related actions are integrated into the Metallurgy, Textiles and Plastics value chains and Wallonie Design works with those sectorial partners for the implementation of those actions. However, transversal design projects are also included in the strategy and carried out by Wallonie Design.

CCI Spain, as an intermediate body of the Multiregional OP ERDF Spain 2014-20 (POPE), is managing and implementing several programs co-financed by this fund. Among them is the Sustainability Program, which aims to improve the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs with the permanent adoption of innovation to achieve sustainable economic growth through actions related to energy efficiency, reduction of the carbon footprint and circular economy. Thus, as of today, CCI Spain is executing the ERDF 2014-20 programs, the implementation period of which has been extended until Dec. 2023. However, in 2024 the new ERDF POPE, for which CCI Spain is again an intermediate body, will kick-off. CCI Spain is also renewing its role as fund manager and executor, including the Supporting SMEs' Sustainability and Innovation Program, focused on boosting SME sustainability.

This is the policy instrument that CCI Spain wishes to enhance through this project, which is inserted in: RSO1.3. Strengthen the sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in these enterprises, also through productive investments, PO1 Smarter Europe, of the POPE ERDF 2021-27.
The actions of this program will be executed with the network of Spanish local chambers, to ensure that the transformations spread to the whole country. For this reason, CCI Spain will involve these local chambers as relevant stakeholders, so that they can also take advantage of the learning and benefits derived from the project.

The Regional Strategy of Innovation for the Podkarpackie Voivodeship 2021- 2030 is designed to assist regional authorities in implementing an effective innovation support system in the region, determine the directions of innovation policy and ways to optimize the regional innovation support infrastructure, especially with regard to its compatibility with the needs of businesses. It defines the objectives of development and improvement in the region in the context of regional intelligent specialisations. The RSI defines the role of the PCI in the process of implementation of the Strategy.

The Regional Strategy of Innovation for the Podkarpackie Voivodeship 2021- 2030 does address Circular Economy, but it does currently not refer to capacity building for sustainable and circular design, production and manufacturing. However, these methods will help in the transition to a circular economy, and the DeCo project will enhance this by increasing the knowledge and skills of policy makers and stakeholders on the potential of design to contribute to sustainable business and the circular economy. This is essential for the region and will be taken into account in improving the policy instrument in the the DeCo project.