Zaragoza, December 4, 2024
The REDOL project (Aragon’s Regional Hub for Circularity), funded by European funds, held its online introductory session as a prelude to a series of workshops aimed at designing the Circularity Hub strategy for Zaragoza. This event marked the beginning of a multisectoral collaboration in favor of the circular economy and sustainability in the region.
An Event to Build Aragón’s Circular Future
The session, chaired by Victoria Miles from ICLEI Europe, featured prominent experts from the technological, business, and academic fields. Diego Redondo from the CIRCE Foundation presented the objectives and scope of REDOL, a project with a budget of over 17 million euros and a four-year duration.
The main goal is to redesign five value chains for the valorization of municipal solid waste, introducing innovative technologies and promoting business models based on industrial-urban symbiosis. These initiatives aim not only to increase recycling rates but also to reduce CO2 emissions and generate economic impact in the region.
Thematic Axes and Project Progress
During the session, Lucía Ventura (CIRCE Foundation) highlighted progress in the characterization of value chains and the identification of non-technical barriers, such as the lack of regulatory standards and bureaucratic instability. The importance of key performance indicators (KPIs) and the need for an efficient governance structure to foster collaboration among stakeholders were also emphasized.
Victoria Miles and Alicia Valero presented the Zaragoza Circularity Hub strategy, focused on facilitating industrial symbiosis exchanges, attracting financing, and reducing dependency on external materials. The Hub also aims to influence regional policies and promote citizen participation in the circular economy.
Impact and Next Steps
The event was well received by attendees, including representatives from Zaragoza City Council, academic institutions, and local companies. Florencio Conde, Zaragoza City Council liaison for REDOL, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the city.
The next meeting will take place on December 13, 2024, to define the strategic objectives of the Hub and its long-term vision. Those interested in joining the process can consult the attached table for the dates and topics of the upcoming sessions.
Towards a More Sustainable Aragon
REDOL reinforces Aragón’s commitment to the circular economy, establishing a model for other regions to follow. Interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advances are the core of this ambitious project, which promises to transform waste management and sustainability in the region.
This was the first of four planned sessions in the project, which will further develop Aragón’s Hub. Details of the upcoming sessions and their objectives can be reviewed below.
For more information, visit:
www.redolproject.eu