VCF: Circular Friesland Association
Published on 01 July 2020
Netherlands
Friesland (NL)
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About this good practice
Although circular economy CE was a new concept in 2016, several Frisian companies were interested in the transition and needed support in term of knowledge development, exchange, networking and collaboration.
‘How and where do I begin with a CE?’ was the VCF starting query that led 7 companies to take the first step towards closing the loop by commissioning, alongside the Province of Friesland and the Municipality of Leeuwarden, an analysis of the flow of (raw) materials in the region. The resulting report inspired the birth of VCF: Frisian entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, (social) organizations and governments were galvanized by the countless circular possibilities, opportunities and promising cycles.
In addition to the organization of important awareness raising and focused events, VCF works with thematical oriented value chain brokers that initiate and stimulate the knowledge exchange and collaboration in a specific field, mobilizing companies and organizations to adopt a circular perspective.
The association had significant positive impacts by making CE a priority objective within the regional innovation strategies and influencing the future development of a circular economy transition subside, as well as on the implementation of cross-regional actions in Northern Netherlands.
In 2016, VCF started with just 25 associated and received financial support from the Friesland Province: VCF counts now more than 100 members from all Quadruple Helix sectors.
‘How and where do I begin with a CE?’ was the VCF starting query that led 7 companies to take the first step towards closing the loop by commissioning, alongside the Province of Friesland and the Municipality of Leeuwarden, an analysis of the flow of (raw) materials in the region. The resulting report inspired the birth of VCF: Frisian entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, (social) organizations and governments were galvanized by the countless circular possibilities, opportunities and promising cycles.
In addition to the organization of important awareness raising and focused events, VCF works with thematical oriented value chain brokers that initiate and stimulate the knowledge exchange and collaboration in a specific field, mobilizing companies and organizations to adopt a circular perspective.
The association had significant positive impacts by making CE a priority objective within the regional innovation strategies and influencing the future development of a circular economy transition subside, as well as on the implementation of cross-regional actions in Northern Netherlands.
In 2016, VCF started with just 25 associated and received financial support from the Friesland Province: VCF counts now more than 100 members from all Quadruple Helix sectors.
Expert opinion
The recently adopted EU Green Deal (2019) acknowledges that achieving a climate neutral and circular economy requires the full mobilisation of industry including SMEs. The transition to circular economy offers significant potential for low-emission technologies, sustainable products and services, new activities and jobs. The practice is an inspiring initiative aiming to respond to the challenge of insufficient awareness among businesses about the opportunities that circular economy brings. It also aims to stimulate knowledge exchange on this topic. The practice is especially relevant for other regions that consider taking the first steps in supporting businesses on the topic of circular economy. The learning potential is in the overall idea and approach, and the support for knowledge building through exchange, networking, and collaboration. What can be found interesting are the focused events used as tools for awareness raising. An essential element of the practice is the wide group of stakeholders engaged in the initiative (entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, social organisations and public authorities). The practice demonstrated positive results helping to embrace circular economy as one of the main strategical objectives for the province and turning it into a frontrunner on circular economy in the country. The practice has transferability potential which depends on political support for enhancing innovation and knowledge transfer in the field of circular economy.
Resources needed
VCF is a not for profit organization.
FINANCIAL
•Yearly turnover about EUR 800k/1mil
ca. EUR 250k from membership contributions
ca. EUR 200k from structural funding from the province of Fryslan
ca. EUR 400k/500k= ERDF funding
HUMAN
•4 to 5 full-time
1 management
3 brokers
1 communication
FINANCIAL
•Yearly turnover about EUR 800k/1mil
ca. EUR 250k from membership contributions
ca. EUR 200k from structural funding from the province of Fryslan
ca. EUR 400k/500k= ERDF funding
HUMAN
•4 to 5 full-time
1 management
3 brokers
1 communication
Evidence of success
VCF has a quadrupled its members in just few years: 80 of the more than 100 associated are companies, mainly SMEs, highlighting the importance of the circular economy transition for the economic players of Friesland Province.
VCF is a great example of participative governance obtained through the cooperation among the Quadruple Helix actors that feeds not only in the governmental decision-making about CE, but also on the educational, research, civil society and business spheres.
VCF is a great example of participative governance obtained through the cooperation among the Quadruple Helix actors that feeds not only in the governmental decision-making about CE, but also on the educational, research, civil society and business spheres.
Potential for learning or transfer
The potential for learning and related transferability derives from the positive role that the Province of Friesland played in the creation and support of VCF by early recognizing the potential of the association and by aligning its objectives to those of the economic players. Since each regional authority has its own characteristics and governance structure, the replicability lies on the modality of participation and support given by the regional government that was capable of noticing the significance of CE for the local economy, which led to the decision of helping VCF (granting funding for enhancing innovation and knowledge transfer in the CE filed) and embracing CE as one of the main strategical objectives for the province: Frisland has been awarded Best Dutch Circular Region and is recognized as frontrunner in CE. VCF has already transferred and combined its effort with similar organizations in the neighbouring area by developing the Northern Netherlands Circular Alliance.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Circular Friesland Association - Vereniging Circulair Friesland
Netherlands
Friesland (NL)
Contact
projectofficer