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Regional road map towards circular economy
Published on 01 February 2018
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In Päijät-Häme region, Finland, one of the RIS3 spearheads is circular economy (CE). The region's main city, Lahti, also promotes CE in its strategy. Whereas the Finnish national road map towards CE (Sitra 2016) provides outlines for the transition, the Päijät-Häme road map, a joint regional CE strategy for nine municipalities, concretise aims and actions at regional level.
The process of creating the road map included intense work with the regional stakeholders to define the common vision, regional aims and concrete actions. This was organized though workshops, discussions, a request for comments from additional stakeholders through a survey and direct emails. The road map was launched in Oct 2017.
The stakeholders involved in the process included the regional council, other regional and municipal authorities, academia, a regional development corporation, as well as public and private companies. The process continues through implementation, identification of new opportunities and involvement of new actors. The regional CE stakeholder group will continuously update the road map, the first update was done in Sept 2018.
The process was planned by the regional council and Lahti University of Applied Sciences, which acts as the coordinator. It was organized through an ERDF project that also provided background information on e.g. regional material flows and CE actors.
A summary of the road map is available in English: http://www.kohtikiertotaloutta.fi/english/
The process of creating the road map included intense work with the regional stakeholders to define the common vision, regional aims and concrete actions. This was organized though workshops, discussions, a request for comments from additional stakeholders through a survey and direct emails. The road map was launched in Oct 2017.
The stakeholders involved in the process included the regional council, other regional and municipal authorities, academia, a regional development corporation, as well as public and private companies. The process continues through implementation, identification of new opportunities and involvement of new actors. The regional CE stakeholder group will continuously update the road map, the first update was done in Sept 2018.
The process was planned by the regional council and Lahti University of Applied Sciences, which acts as the coordinator. It was organized through an ERDF project that also provided background information on e.g. regional material flows and CE actors.
A summary of the road map is available in English: http://www.kohtikiertotaloutta.fi/english/
Resources needed
The road map is one of the main outcomes of the 2,5 years long ERDF project “Kiertoliike”. The process was organised through a 50% project manager, together with the project partners. Regional authorities with the will to develop CE on strategic level and active stakeholders are keys to success.
Evidence of success
The circular economy road map is a part of the Päijät-Häme strategic regional plan and regional development programme 2018–2021. The road map has gathered interest both nationally and on EU level.
Potential for learning or transfer
In developing circular economy, regional strategies and action plans are needed to implement EU and national level strategies.
Keys to a successful strategy process in Päijät-Häme were active involvement of the regional council and stakeholders. Utilizing an ERDF project as a tool in strategic development is a useful practice, which has potential to be transferred to other regions as well.
Keys to a successful strategy process in Päijät-Häme were active involvement of the regional council and stakeholders. Utilizing an ERDF project as a tool in strategic development is a useful practice, which has potential to be transferred to other regions as well.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Lahti University of Applied Sciences
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
Contact
Chief Specialist