Presentation
The European Circular Innovation Valley (ECIV) is an ambitious initiative under the Horizon Europe program, designed to create Europe’s largest circular economy innovation ecosystem. Spanning nine countries and uniting 17 regions, ECIV aims to turn these regions into vibrant hubs for circular solutions, where public bodies, industries, researchers, and citizens collaborate to tackle shared circularity challenges. ECIV is all about making the transition to a circular economy a reality by connecting innovation ecosystems across Europe. It focuses on strengthening regional value chains through collaboration, experimentation, and funding opportunities. The project is rooted in a mission-based approach, aligning efforts with specific goals tailored to the unique strengths and challenges of participating regions.
Project co-financed by Horizon Europe Programme of the European Union, 2024 - 2029
Project Total Budget: EUR27 158 123.02 | EU contribution: EUR13 579 061.51
Key Features:
- Mission-Oriented Plans: Focused efforts to solve challenges unique to each region.
- Open Innovation Ecosystem: A space for collaboration among quadruple helix actors (public authorities, industries, research institutions, and citizens).
- Experimental and Deep Tech Solutions: Encouraging cutting-edge technologies and novel approaches.
- Substantial Funding Opportunities: Two major open calls.
The ECIV is led by the Government of Navarra, Spain, and involves 19 partners from nine countries, including Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Bulgaria, Finland and Lithuania. All participating regions are recognised as Regional Innovation Valleys by the European Commission, emphasising their commitment to advancing the green and digital transitions.
The project’s collaborative framework fosters partnerships and mutual learning, leveraging regional strengths and creating synergies across borders. This approach ensures that innovation doesn't just happen in isolated silos but becomes a shared journey toward a circular and sustainable future.
ECIV offers a platform for stakeholders to connect, innovate, and transform the European industrial landscape.
Activities
ACR+ plays a key role in ensuring the long-term impact of the ECIV project. ACR+ facilitates knowledge transfer and community building through activities such as sensemaking workshops within the Regions and Cities Community of Practice (RCCoP) and a peer-to-peer exchange program, fostering collaboration among regions. ACR+ is also responsible for mapping project results and developing the ECIV Replication Strategy, which identifies barriers, targets stakeholders, and outlines how the project’s outcomes can be replicated and exploited beyond its lifetime.
Partners
ECIV’s lead partner is Government of Navarra (ES)*. The other partners are:
ACR+, Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (BE)
SODENA, Sociedad de Desarrollo de Navarra (ES)
SNN, Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (NL)
GRO, Provincie Groningen (NL)
FRY, Provincie Fryslan (NL)*
DTH, Provincie Drenthe (NL)
UGRO, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (NL)
SIF, Stichting Innovatiepact Fryslan (NL)
DAL, Region of Dalarna (SE)
VÄR, Region of Värmland (SE)
GÄV, Region of Gävleborg (SE)
NOR, Region Normandie (FR)*
MIGB, Ministry of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria (BG)
SPW, Service public de Wallonie Economie (BE)*
IAL, Inovacijų agentūra [Innovation Agency Lithuania] (LT)
HURC, Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council (FI)
SE, Scottish Enterprise [Scotland Economic Development Agency] (UK)
IBioIC, Strathclyde University/Dptmt. of Industrial Biotech Innovation Centre (UK)
*ACR+ members
