Our cities are hubs of dense socio-economic activity, but they also withstand the worst of resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation. On the other hand cities can also contribute to a positive change through the application of a circular economy model.

ECLECTIC is the new three-year research project (Driving Urban Transitions Call 2022) led by Eurac Research aimed at empowering small and medium-sized EU cities and regions in carrying-out sustainable and inclusive circular economy action plans. Over the next three years, our researchers will collaborate with local authorities, businesses, and community representatives in four livinglabs in Bolzano (Italy), Coimbra (Portugal), Gothenburg (Sweden), and Jonava (Lithuania). Together, they will co-design, implement and monitor innovative circular economy action plans to bring scientific theory into action.

The kick off event was held in Bolzano the last 1st and 2nd February, with this occasion Eurac Research team gathered with the eight partners to work on strategies to quantify material flows and to define the co-creation approaches for stakeholder engagement.