KARMA
Circular Economy in the Construction Sector - Acting Today for a Better Future
Project summary
KARMA is an interregional cooperation project (Interreg Europe). It aims to improve local climate policies through circular construction actions organized by seven partners accross the European Union.
Background
- The construction sector is known for its huge resource consumption and environmental impact. KARMA aims to contribute to more sustainable solutions.
- It aspires to increase resource efficiency, optimise waste management and improve recycling practices in the participating partner regions for public and private construction projects.
- Bringing together seven partners from five European countries, the project enables the exchange of different perspectives, experiences and solutions, with a particular focus on a more circular construction sector.
Topics and challenges
KARMA adresses numerous challenges in the construction sector
- Housing and restoration of buildings
- Construction/demolition waste and waste management
- New business models, procurement, as well as governance
Activities
Within the project, the partners take part in different activities. The main objectives are to share good practices and experiences, i.e. by
- Exchanging policy learning activities
- Co-designing and driving policy improvements with regional stakeholders
- Organizing staff exchanges between the partner organisations
Project partners and stakeholders
In total, seven project partners cooperate in order to improve regional policies; such as Regional Operational Programmes (ERDF & ESF+), region wide climate plans and strategies, and Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans. What makes KARMA so special is, that they have very distinct backgrounds regarding circular economy.
- Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Germany, Lead partner)
- County Bergstraße (Germany)
- Circular Flanders (Belgium)
- Pannon Business Network Association (Hungary)
- Regione Calabria (Italy)
- EUROKOM (Italy)
- Suceava Municipality (Romania)
Within the project, each partner aims to activate its network of stakeholders to improve local climate policies through circular construction actions.
What will this project change
KARMA aims to contribute to a more circular construction sector by focusing on :
- further adapting and developing policy tools that foster circular construction practices.
- promoting the principles of sustainability, resource efficiency and waste reduction; in order to reshape the way buildings are designed, constructed and demolished.
- reviewing policies and strategies that encourage the reuse, recycling and repurposing of construction materials.
- providing guidance to policymakers, construction professionals and stakeholders; enabling them to implement circular construction practices at various levels, from local to regional.