Community based innovation schemes

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101036838. D7.4 – Community based innovation schemes July 2025 Authors: Esther Ballester (PRIMAFRIO); Aran Blanco (KVELOCE); Valeria Moncada (KVC);Carlos Serra (UVEG); Alfonso Gallego (UVEG); Mariantonella Palermo (TCA); Inga Matijosyte (LPK) Ref. Ares(2025)6161353 - 29/07/2025 A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 2 І76 Technical references Project Acronym Agro2Circular Project Title TERRITORIAL CIRCULAR SYSTEMIC SOLUTION FOR THE UPCYCLING OF RESIDUES FROM THE AGRIFOOD SECTOR Project Coordinator Fuensanta Monzó CETEC [email protected] Project Duration October 2021 – September 2024 (36 months) Deliverable No. D7.4 D51 Dissemination level* PU Work Package WP 7 - A2C systemic solution adoption, replication and scalability Task T7.1.2 – Community-based innovation schemes Lead beneficiary 31 - PRIMAFRIO Contributing beneficiary/ies PRIMA, KVC, UVEG, TCA, LPK Due date of deliverable 31 MARCH 2025 Actual submission date 27 MARCH 2025 *PU = Public PP = Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services) RE = Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services) CO = Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 3 І76 Document history V Date Comments v0.1 05/03/2025 First draft of document V0.2 26/03/2025 Revised version based on the comments of Aran Blanco (KVELOCE) Sofia Martínez (CTNC) and Fuensanta Monzó (CETEC) v1.0 27/03/2025 First final version, approved by the WP leader and the project coordinator, (will be) submitted to EC. v2.0 29/07/2025 Second final version, approved by the WP leader and the project coordinator, (will be) submitted to EC. Document Distribution Log Version Date Distributed to v0.1 05/03/2025 Aran Blanco from Kveloce , Sofiia Martínez from CTNC and Fuensanta Monzó from CETEC for peer review V0.2 26/03/2025 Coordinator and WP leader for approval V2.0 29/07/2025 Coordinator and WP leader for approval Verification and approval Name Date Verification Final Draft by WP leader Alba Matamoros 29/07/2025 Approval Final Deliverable by coordinator Fuensanta Monzó 29/07/2025 A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 4 І76 Disclaimer and acknowledgement This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101036838 Disclaimer This document reflects only the views of the author(s) the European Research Executive Agency (REA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Whilst efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this document, the A2C consortium shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, however caused. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 5 І76 Table of contents List of abbreviations .......................................................................... 8 Glossary ............................................................................................ 9 1 Executive summary <abstract> ................................................. 10 2 Introduction ................................................................................ 12 3 . Community engagement in Alhama ........................................ 13 3.1 Preparation......................................................................................................... 13 3.2 First year of the Activity .................................................................................... 14 3.2.1 Description of activities ................................................................................. 14 3.2.2 Challenges and difficulties ............................................................................ 23 3.2.3 Lessons learnt .............................................................................................. 24 3.3 Second year of the activity ............................................................................... 24 3.3.1 Description of activities ................................................................................. 24 3.3.2 Challenges and difficulties ............................................................................ 26 3.3.3 Lessons learned ........................................................................................... 26 4 Other community-based initiatives ............................................ 28 4.1 Criteria for the selection of community-based schemes: .............................. 28 4.2 Cascina Cuccagna ............................................................................................. 30 4.3 Community Fridge Network .............................................................................. 32 4.4 Imeko .................................................................................................................. 34 4.5 Talkual ................................................................................................................ 36 4.6 Io non spreco ..................................................................................................... 38 4.7 Il Riso che sostiene ........................................................................................... 40 4.8 Da Chicco a Chicco ........................................................................................... 42 4.9 Too good to go .................................................................................................. 44 4.10 Maisto bankas .................................................................................................... 46 4.11 Biomotorai ......................................................................................................... 48 A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 6 І76 4.12 Grazinti Verta .................................................................................................... 50 4.13 Antakalnieciu Community ............................................................................... 52 4.14 Barrio La Pinada ............................................................................................... 54 4.15 Circularcity ......................................................................................................... 56 4.16 CONSERVE ........................................................................................................ 58 4.17 Restart Project .................................................................................................. 60 5 Summary of results .................................................................... 62 6 Evaluation of the results ............................................................ 65 7 Conclusions ............................................................................... 69 8 Bibliography ............................................................................... 71 9 ANNEXES .................................................................................. 72 9.1.1 Communication materials ............................................................................. 72 List of Tables Table 1. Summary of the results of Alhama Community Based scheme ........................... 62 List of Figures Figure 1. List of meetings between the entities involved in the project .............................. 13 Figure 2. Meeting with representatives of Alhama de Murcia City Hall and market vendors ................................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 3 Newspaper clipping of the inauguration of the street market in Alhama .............. 16 Figure 4. News section of Alhama de Murcia website ....................................................... 17 Figure 5. Social Media of Alhama's Major Mariola Guevara .............................................. 17 Figure 6. News in digital press 7Dias Alhama .................................................................... 18 Figure 7. News in the digital press Conecta Magazine .................................................... 19 Figure 8. Delivery of samples of Agrotransformados products at the Alhama market ....... 20 A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 7 І76 Figure 9. Containers for the selective collection of fruit and vegetables at the Alhama market ................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 10. Winner of the fruit basket among those surveyed at the Alhama street market 22 Figure 11. Videodocumentary ............................................................................................ 23 Figure 12. Interview and surveys on the impact of the activity at the Alhama street market ................................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 13. Photo at Imeko website .................................................................................... 34 Figure 14. Website shop .................................................................................................... 36 Figure 15. Campaign logo. Source: Youtube channel ....................................................... 38 Figure 16. Rice farm associated to project. Source: Greenstyle.it ..................................... 40 Figure 17. Recycling of exhausted coffee and aluminium caps. Source: Nespresso ......... 42 Figure 18. Recovery of food through the Too good to go app. Source: Scattidigusto ........ 44 Figure 19. Maisto bankas logo in Lithuania. Source: sustainablegastro ............................ 46 Figure 20. Collecting cooking oil at restaurant to be recycled by Biomotorai. .................... 48 Figure 21. Promotional video of Grazinti verta. Source: Youtube ...................................... 50 Figure 22. Composting activity at the community. Source: Association website ................ 52 Figure 23. Building constructed with recycled materials in La Pinada ............................... 54 Figure 24. Logo of the Circularicity initiative ...................................................................... 56 Figure 25. Different types of conserves made in the CONSERVE project ......................... 58 Figure 26. Screenshot of video at Restart Youtube channel .............................................. 60 Figure 27. Roll Up for community-based scheme .............................................................. 72 Figure 28. Poster for community-based scheme ............................................................... 73 Figure 29. A2C flyer in Spanish ......................................................................................... 73 Figure 30. Design of the booth installed in the street market ............................................. 74 Figure 32. Brochure and survey used in the raffle ............................................................. 75 Figure 31. Poster with legal conditions of the raffle ........................................................... 75 Figure 33. Photo of A2C materials disposed of at the booth. ............................................. 76 A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 8 І76 List of abbreviations A2C Agro2Circular ATC Alhama Town Council AoTA Associations of traders in Alhama AoTRM Associations of street traders in the Region of Murcia CARM Autonomous Community of Region of Murcia CBS Community-Based Scheme CDS Communication and Dissemination Strategy CEBM Circular Economy Business Models DoA Description of the Action Dn.n Deliverable (number) DIS Data Integration System F2F Face to face IAP2 International Association of Public Participation KPIs Key performance indicators LTtA Lorca and Totana street trader association Tn.n Task (number) WPn Work Package (number) A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 9 І76 Glossary Community based schemes: plans designed to engage and mobilise the community's resources for the benefit of its members. In this context, the concept of community refers to “a group living in a specific geographical or administrative area, for example, a neighbourhood, which has access to and uses the same service” [1], [2]. Description of the Action: In an H2020 project, the DoA is a document that sets out the envisaged solution, including the project work plan and information regarding the scope, cost, timeframe and risks of the project, as well as information such as milestones, deliverables and the project organisation and approach. Face-to-face infrastructure: In the context of public participation processes, face-to-face participation structures include those in which people can physically see one another, in person (meetings in the same room) or virtually through teleconferences to enable citizen engagement at all levels. Public engagement: It is understood as the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of research can be shared with the public. Engagement is a two-way process involving interaction and listening aimed at generating mutual benefit at all levels (Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower). The concept is considered a synonym for public participation and/or citizen engagement and both terms will be used throughout the document. Virtual infrastructures: In the context of public participation processes, virtual infrastructures comprise of online platforms, application software and collaborative channels that assist purposeful citizen engagement at all levels within a given territory (municipality, region, country, EU). A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 16 І76 Figure 3 Newspaper clipping of the inauguration of the street market in Alhama A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 17 І76 Figure 4. News section of Alhama de Murcia website Figure 5. Social Media of Alhama's Major Mariola Guevara A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 18 І76 Figure 6. News in digital press 7Dias Alhama A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 19 І76 Figure 7. News in the digital press Conecta Magazine 13/12/22 Day with AGROFOOD and AGROTRANSFORMADOS (MCT), delivery of products related to the project. The project presented products from the project partners; bags, juices, jams, and merchandising with messages. (Figure 8) At the beginning, the regulars of the weekly market in Alhama were a bit reluctant to come to the booth, but thanks to these products, they started to ask about and take an interest in the project and to share their experiences on the subject. The assessment of the people with whom we were able to interact was generally positive, encouraging us to develop more far-reaching initiatives, although we also met people who were more sceptical about the impact of the project, in relation to the magnitude of the problem. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 20 І76 We returned, together with the Local Development technician, to talk to the sellers reminding them of the waste collection initiative (Figure 9). There are about 32 stalls that participate in this initiative, almost all of the fruit and vegetable stalls, those who did not collaborate was because they do not sold the products selected in the project or because the collection had been scarce, as according to CNTC specifications, a minimum number of kilos was necessary for evaluation. Those who do not collaborate were because they do not sell the products selected in the project. However, the collection has been scarce, only of cauliflower, which according to CNTC specifications, would have to provide a minimum amount (kg) for evaluation. Figure 8. Delivery of samples of Agrotransformados products at the Alhama market A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 21 І76 Figure 9. Containers for the selective collection of fruit and vegetables at the Alhama market 07/02/23 We start with the recycling activities We started with the recycling dissemination and learning activity, with a test to raise awareness of the importance of separating waste correctly, and a practical activity at the same stand. Participants were given a fridge magnet as a gift. The activity was well received and approximately 125 people took part. The amount of waste collected in the specific containers, as well as the characteristics required for further treatment, were not the expected, only when reminded by the City Council technician and us is when they deposit some of the rest of the chosen products (cauliflower leaves), but they do not reach the kg. to be taken to the CNTC. In addition, there is a circular economy established practice between the stalls and their customers, as some of them have animals and/or organic vegetable gardens, and the distribution to these users is agreed upon. These activities took place, every two weeks, till June 2023. 18/04/23 Raffle and first survey A raffle and a survey were also carried out to find out, during this first year, the knowledge of circular economy that has been imparted during this period, with success both in terms of participation and congratulations on the initiative. This town has an important community of foreigners, active in the field of sustainability and who have transmitted their predisposition to support initiatives in this direction. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 22 І76 Figure 10. Winner of the fruit basket among those surveyed at the Alhama street market A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 23 І76 The raffle (Figure 10) consisted of a draw among those who took part in the survey for 20 kg of fruit purchased at the stalls collaborating in this initiative. Taking advantage of the day, scenes of the market were filmed for the documentary that is being made about the project Agro2Circular (Figure 11). The number of visitors to this activity varies according to the time of year, especially due to inclement weather, with the busiest time being those that coincide with non-teaching dates, where grandparents are accompanied by grandchildren who participate in the recycling workshops and tourist visitors with the arrival of spring without reaching the high temperatures of summer. 3.2.2 Challenges and difficulties The collection quantities demanded by CTNC were not reached because the market vendors already had their own circular schemes involving citizens visiting the market. The market sellers indicate that not much waste is generated at the stalls because even poorer looking products are sold at a lower price for animal feeding. Figure 11. Videodocumentary A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 24 І76 We have had to do more workshops and interactive content to make people come every week to learn about the project and disseminate the principles of the circular economy, serving as a point for complaints and suggestions for improvement in their municipality, that is to say: • About the dimensions and location of the containers for the deposit of waste. • Queries about recycling different products, e.g. vapers. 3.2.3 Lessons learnt The collection of the products selected in the project has not had the expected repercussions, not because of the predisposition of the sellers, whom we have periodically informed of this initiative, in various ways, accompanied by the local development technician. Rather, it was due to conflicting interests, i.e. they already have a commitment to their own customers who collect this type of waste either for animal farms or for composting. Therefore, the source of obtaining this type of waste from these centres has traditionally had a circular solution, perhaps not the one with the greatest valorisation, but it implies an awareness and attitude that this project, we believe, has reinforced. 3.3 Second year of the activity 3.3.1 Description of activities Given that the collection of products at the flea market is not having any success due to the arguments put forward above and there were few times when sufficient waste was collected for processing, it was decided to intensify the work of dissemination and data collection. 19/12/2023 The flea market activity resumes. On this day many new people approached us and the project was explained to them and they found it very interesting, and people who knew us asked about the activities that we were going to carry out in order to participate. The delivery of bags for use in the market was demonstrated to be very useful to passersby at shopping time, so they first pass by our stall to collect them and see the activity of the day, as well as gradually differentiating the bags for their correct recycling. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 25 І76 16/01/24 Alliances with other entities. An average of 300 people passed by, half of them already knew us, but the rest have told us that it is important to be there to raise awareness. We were also visited by the Trade Technician, together with the Councillor for Trade, to coordinate with the company that manages the waste to make joint workshops in these months. Another visit was from the Poseidon Diving Club of Alhama, to promote this type of initiative with collections and awareness in schools. 25/06/24 last day of the season This day was one of the busiest days, classes had finished, and the grandparents came with their grandchildren to participate in the different recycling activities, showing their elders the knowledge acquired at school, some also knew us from the talks held in their educational centre or the video game competition. Another important group was the foreigners, who usually visit the market on holiday and happened to be interested in the project. 03/12/24 survey to evaluate the social impact During this day two activities were carried out in parallel, together with the Kveloce team (Figure 12): on the one hand interviews with various market traders and on the other hand, a survey to the public using the market, handing out samples of plastic bags and cosmetics provided by the partners Eversia and Lolobio. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 32 І76 4.3 Community Fridge Network GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Community Fridge Network Country/region UK Promoter/initiator HUBBUB Type of entity NGO or CSO Start date (year)- End date (year) 2017Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* Website: https://hubbub.org.uk/community-fridge-network Contact: [email protected] DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Food Waste prevention Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐ Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ✔ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs, ✔ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ✔ Other: producers, gardens Objectives • Reduce food waste, by expanding the Community Fridge Network (CFN), helping groups create and launch their own community fridges across the UK. • Address food insecurity, by providing more communities with surplus food access to healthy food. • Building community cohesion, by supporting communities with valuable skills (such as cooking and gardening) and spaces for social connection A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 33 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology • Hubbub provides guidance, training and financial support, and sharing knowledge and experiences between community fridges. • Alliances: Major partners such as Co-op, The Rothschild Foundation, and Starbucks have supported this initiative, allowing an additional 50 groups to develop their own food hub activities. Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R's or any other. • Rethink: Encouraging individuals and businesses to rethink their approach to collaborative consumption within communities. • Redistribution: from local businesses and individuals, preventing it from being wasted and promoting its reuse within the community. • Reuse: In some cases, community fridges are set up using donated equipment, such as a fridge. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) Impact report 2024. Link to pdf. Impact Report 2022. Link to pdf Related costs • Operational Costs: Electricity, Waste Management, Insurance, Printing, Pest Control, Transportation, etc. • Equipment and Maintenance Costs: setting up and maintaining the physical infrastructure of the community fridges, such as fridges, sheds, materials, contracting services, storage space, etc. • Staffing Costs: if volunteers cannot provide the level of management support required. • Training and Support Costs: associated with providing training and support to volunteers and staff members involved in running the community fridges. • Food Handling and Safety Costs: obtaining necessary certifications, implementing food hygiene practices, and conducting regular inspections. Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Not required Impact and sustainability Impact: figures in 2022 impact report. Decrease of food waste generation (181 fridges opened, 7129 tonnes estimated food shared); increase of positive interactions (50 new food hubs developed), access to food (16.9 million equivalent meals shared) Sustainability: Creating local networks for food, skills, and knowledge sharing, volunteer-driven models reduce operational costs; adaptable to changing needs. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. • Corporate Sponsorship • Donations from individuals and organizations • Grants to network members to set up growing projects, a community food hub, a recipe box scheme and a refill pantry. • Volunteer Support, Fundraising and Grants: Community Fridges depend on these to cover costs. Social innovation • Activism: they encourage volunteers and community members to actively participate in addressing local challenges. • Knowledge transfer: they provide training and capacity building on different areas related to the project. Challenges and barriers • Effectiveness of the community fridge: may not be the most effective method for reducing waste at home. • Limited individual food donations and restrictions on acceptable items • Community Engagement: Maintaining community engagement and participation over time. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 34 І76 4.4 Imeko Figure 13. Photo at Imeko website GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Imeko. Cigarette butt recycling Country/region Chile Promoter/initiator Imeko Type of entity Private/industry/ business Start date (year)- End date (year) 2018Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* Website: https://imeko.cl/ Contact: https://imeko.cl/contactanos/ DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Collection and processing of cigarette butts (cellulose acetate) and its transformation into a new sustainable and recyclable material for industry Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐Media ✔ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ✔ Retail sector ☐ Civil society/NGOs, ☐ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ☐ Public administrations ✔ Other: waste managers Objectives • To bring science and innovation together to tackle cigarette butt pollution. • To foster circular economy of cigarette butts, from its management to its recovery • To transform cigarette butts into a sustainable material for the future which can be used in conventional plastic moulding processes, while helping to clean up the planet. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 35 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology The intervention involves a subscription-based collection service for cigarette butts across Chile using branded containers (over 400 collection points nationwide). Cigarette butts are processed through sustainable chemical techniques to remove toxic substances and extract cellulose acetate to produce Celion®, a raw material sold to other businesses. Imeko also conducts environmental and anti-smoking education (social media, clean ups) Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R's or any other. • Rethink: providing education and awareness about the environmental impact of cigarette butt waste. • Recover: The initiative aims to recover valuable materials from cigarette butts, specifically cellulose acetate, through chemical techniques. • Recycle: Cigarette butts are collected, processed, and transformed into Celion®, a recyclable material for industry. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • News from t13 Link • Pais circular news. Link Related costs • Not specified costs: may entail human Resources/Staff, processing and Equipment Costs, and administrative and Marketing Costs Enabling technologies fostering circularity. • Waste Separation/Classification: involves a subscription-based collection service for cigarette butts across Chile using branded containers. • Waste Management and Recovery: Technology to transform waste to produce new raw material for other uses. Impact and sustainability • Environmental impact: 6.270.369 recycled butts, 698 kg CO₂eq saved: 23.765.445 L Unpolluted Water. For every kilo of recycled cigarette butt, 750 grams of plastic recovered and 2.7 kilos of CO₂ are no longer emitted. Social impact: raises awareness about environmental issues and promotes sustainable behaviours. Economic impact: creation of new markets for recycled materials and sustainable products. • Long-Term Sustainability: financially viable business model paves the way for scalability and replication actions in other regions or communities. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. • Direct grants: Imeko received funding from the Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (2018). Corfo's Huella programme (2021). • Investments: first investment round (2023) • Business model: Waste management services for companies (including restoration) and public administrations; selling Celion® as a raw material (used for sunglasses in Patagonia) Social innovation Activism (participation in clean-ups, installation of bins for cigarette butt disposal). Knowledge transfer: awareness-raising. Challenges and barriers • Waste collection: requires disposal of the butt in specific containers and the reduction of cigarette littering. • Social behaviours and awareness: addictive nature of cigarettes, required campaigns to reduce cigarette littering, fostering responsible smoking habits • Technological: lack of recycling facilities, complexity of the recycling process • Economic barriers: low demand for recycled cellulose acetate products. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 36 І76 4.5 Talkual Figure 14. Website shop GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Talkual. Naturally imperfect: Fruits and vegetables that are unique on the outside and awesome on the inside. Country/region Spain Promoter/initiator Talkual Type of entity Private/industry/b usiness Start date (year)- End date (year) 2020Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* Website: https://www.talkualfoods.com Contact: [email protected], telephone: +34 722 19 74 52 DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Food Waste prevention Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ✔ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs ☐ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ☐ Public administrations ✔ Other: farmers Objectives: • To reduce and combat food waste, giving a second chance to fruit and vegetables that are not sold in large supermarkets. • To re-educate customers • To offer job opportunities to people at risk of social exclusion, collaborating with ASPID (organization at regional level working for inclusion of people with disabilities) • To be a loudspeaker for agriculture and the work carried out by the primary sector in the countryside, which is why they are committed to local and seasonal products. • To help reduce plastic waste coming from packaging. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 37 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology • TALKUAL operates as an online platform offering healthy food choices while addressing food waste. They collaborate with small-scale farmers to rescue imperfect yet nutritious fruits and vegetables rejected by large retailers due to aesthetic standards. • TALKUAL buys fruit and vegetables from all over Spain (being deals with small farmers preferred), performs quality control in their warehouse in Bellpuig, packs the product and ships it all over the country to their customers. 90% are private individuals and the other 10% are companies, such as Alsa or Decathlon, which send them to their employees. Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R's or any other. • Recover those imperfect fruits and vegetables rejected by large supermarkets • Reuse those products in good condition initially discarded. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • News piece at El Pais. Link • News piece at El Economista. Link Related costs No costs specified, may be related to staff and workers contraction, Transportation and communication channels Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Mobile app and online platform: Google Play, Apple store Impact and sustainability Impact: • Social: Creation of Jobs (directly and indirectly) as the project has created full time-jobs for the team; job opportunities to people at risk of social exclusion, collaborating with ASPID. Alliances with 95 small farmers all over the Iberian peninsula, helping them sell their "imperfect" products. 38.773 People who have received TALKUAL at home. • Environmental: Reduction of food waste (2.397.239 Kg of rescued fruit and vegetables); 3.595.859 N° of plastic bags saved, 4.938 Tons of CO2 avoided; 373.969 Liters of water saved; Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. • Business model (privately financed) Social innovation • Business Models: TALKUAL's social innovation lies in its holistic approach to addressing multiple interconnected issues within the food system • Knowledge Transfer: TALKUAL engages in knowledge transfer by raising awareness about food waste and sustainable consumption practices Challenges and barriers • Market Acceptance/Public perception: Convincing consumers to purchase imperfect products. • Financial Sustainability: Ensuring the financial sustainability of the business model while paying fair prices to farmers and keeping produce affordable for consumers. • Competition: Facing competition from traditional supermarkets and other food retailers • Identifying and Accessing Farmers: Locating and reaching out to farmers who may be interested in participating A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 38 І76 4.6 Io non spreco Figure 15. Campaign logo. Source: Youtube channel GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Io Non Spreco Country/region Italy / Lombardia Promoter/initiator Milano Ristorazione Spa Type of entity Collective catering operator Start date (year)- End date (year) 2022 - Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* Website promoter: Milano Ristorazione Email Secretary Milano Ristorazione DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Food (Food surplus) Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐ Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs ✔ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ☐ Public administrations ☐ Other Objectives: Reduction of Food Waste and Redistribution: Recover surplus bread and unconsumed fruits from school cafeterias for redistribution to non-profit organizations and charitable structures in the area. Intervention type/structure and methodology • Involvement of schools in the recovery of unconsumed bread and fruits. • Collaboration with the Association “Banco Alimentare della Lombardia – Siticibo”. • Distributed collection network across various schools. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 39 І76 Circular strategy(-ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Reduction: Reducing food waste through recovery and redistribution. Recovery: Recovering unconsumed bread and fruits. Reuse: Reusing food for charitable purposes. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • Sustainability Balance. Link to pdf https://www.bancoalimentare.it/ • A recipe book with 23 recipes against Food waste was distributed (in Italian, under requirement in webpage). Related costs The only costs are related to logistics because volunteers are involved in food collection and distribution. Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Not required Impact and sustainability In the 2022/23 school year, more than 50 schools were involved, collecting more than 17.100 kg of bread and almost 39.000 kg of uneaten fruit. For the 2023/24 school year, the joint aim is to intensify this network, in order to make the collection even more widespread, while also accepting requests from voluntary associations operating close to schools. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. • Italy Good Samaritan Law Legge del Buon Samaritano (Law n 155, 2003) -16/07/2023) https://www.bancoalimentare.it/news/legge-del-buonsamaritano-dieci-anni-recuperate-oltre-2-milioni-di-porzionidi-piatti-pronti • Legge Gadda (Law nº166, 14/09/2016) https://www.bancoalimentare.it/legge-gadda Social innovation Established initiative involving schools, third-sector entities, and volunteer associations. Promotes solidarity culture among citizens. Includes a change on how private business operate (restoration services in schools) recognising social value. Develops partnerships between private and third sector (food banks) Challenges and barriers Legislative framework: Normative barriers removed in Italy by Good Samaritan Law, and Legge Gadda, may exist in other countries (i.e. Ireland has not a Good Samaritan Law), Network Expansion: Challenges in intensifying the network, logistical coordination, potential challenges related to awareness and participation from schools. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 40 І76 4.7 Il Riso che sostiene GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Il Riso che Sostiene Country/region Italy / Lombardia Promoter/initiator Riso Gallo SpA Type of entity Food Industry Start date (year)- End date (year) 2019Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* https://www.risogallo.it/ilrisochesostiene/economia-circolare/ DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Food Waste Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐ Media ✔ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ☐ civil society/NGOs ☐ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ☐ Public administrations ✔ Other: certified organic farms Objectives: Circular Economy and Valorisation of Rice By-Products: Generate value from rice processing by-products, transforming them into materials for bio-construction, furnishings, and clothing dyes following circular principles. Intervention type/structure and methodology Community Involvement: Currently, a community of 155 certified agricultural enterprises in Piemonte and Lombardia regions has joined the initiative, adhering to the FSA (Farm Sustainability Assessment) Figure 16. Rice farm associated to project. Source: Greenstyle.it A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 41 І76 protocol, one of the internationally recognized standards for agricultural sustainability. The “Rice Agreement”, endorsed by the participating agricultural companies, advocates for eight simple rules, including the prohibition of using glyphosate directly on crops and the restriction on the use of purification sludges. Visionary Entrepreneurial Collaborations: Il riso che Sostiene is possible tanks to the participation in visionary entrepreneurial ventures like Rice House, Mogu, and Gruppo Albini. Circular strategy(-ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Recovery and recycle: Use of by-products for bio-construction, furnishings, and dyes. Creation of new materials for various applications. The company collaborates and provides support to Rice House, an innovative Italian entrepreneurial entity in which Riso Gallo holds a portion of the shareholding. The rice husk (lolla) and bran (pula, equivalent to wheat bran) are used to produce plaster. For thermal and acoustic insulation, both the rice husk and rice straw fibres are utilized. In addition, the company has initiated a collaboration with Mogu, an SME developing fully circular products for interior furnishings based on fungal biofabrication processes (mycelium technology) and the reuse of lowvalue raw materials. Riso Gallo has also recently embarked on a project with Gruppo Albini, a significant company specializing in the production of high-quality fabrics, to reuse the cooking water from Black Rice for the natural dyeing of fabrics destined for high fashion using production waste generated during the hydrothermal treatment phase. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • Project manifesto. Link Related costs The initiative costs (logistic, technology, manufacturing) are covered by products sales Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Fungal Bio-Fabrication (Mycelium Technology) with the use of innovative processes like fungal bio-fabrication for creating furnishings. Mogu's cutting-edge technology is based on mycelium, the vegetative stage of mushrooms. Impact and sustainability Agreements have been established with other partners (Bio-construction, furnishings and Fabrics and natural dyeing) to expand the initiative to other value chains Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. Sale of sustainable products to fund the activities (circular business model) Social innovation Sustainability and Creativity: valorisation of by-products through innovative collaborations. Development of social housing. Challenges and barriers Project Scalability: adapting and scaling circular projects to maximize impact. Need to engage further agricultural actors to extend the initiative. Technology: need to install separation technologies for the waste flows; technologies for valorisation (with fungi or to produce dye) needed in the region. Logistics: to transport the materials from the farm/agriculture company to the waste manager, and to the valorisation companies, need for arrangements to use the waste collected. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 48 І76 4.11Biomotorai GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme JSC Biomotorai Country/region Lithuania Promoter/initiator Private investment Type of entity Private investment Start date (year)- End date (year) 2006 - Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* https://www.biomotorai.lt/en/ DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Cooking oil recycling Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ☐Media ✔ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ☐ Civil society/NGOs, ✔ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ☐Other Objectives: “Biomotorai” – the leader of used cooking oil collection and processing in the Baltic región. Such unusable oil is cleaned and used for biofuel production by other biodiesel production companies in Europe. The company has direct connection with legal entities as clients, also handles oil that is collected from residents and promotes social activities to increase awareness that used oils and greases are harmful waste. Figure 20. Collecting cooking oil at restaurant to be recycled by Biomotorai. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 49 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology The company applies the latest and most modern technologies, which allow our clients to order conveniently transportation of waste by mobile app, to quickly formalize transfer by e-consignment, to receive a detailed report on the quantities and quality transferred Residents of the Vilnius region are invited to collect used oil residues in a sustainable and convenient way in the designated 3.5-liter containers. From October 2024, special 3.5-liter containers for the collection of used oil were distributed to residents of the Vilnius region at large waste collection sites administered by the municipality. 44,900 units were distributed to residents of the Vilnius region. Unusable oil stored in these or any other containers can be delivered to all large waste collection sites operating in the Vilnius region Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Rethink - reevaluating consumption habits and waste management practices; Reduce - reducing the amount of fossil resources, the amount of waste entering the wastewater and the amount of waste polluting the soil surfaces; Recycle – systematic collecting and processing of the used cooking oil into biofuel. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • Brochure (lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/projektai/eko-energetika/arkada-susimastete-kuo-pavirsta-kebabu-kioske-likes-aliejus-76935659 • Social media: Facebook Related costs Conventional business model – joint stock company (JSC) Enabling technologies fostering circularity. The know-how, belonging to the company, for treatment and cleaning of the used oil. Impact and sustainability Overall, community-based schemes for used cooking oil collection and processing have the potential to deliver both immediate and long-term sustainable impacts by addressing environmental, health, economic, and social issues within communities. Through active engagement, education, and collaboration, these initiatives can contribute to building resilient and environmentally responsible societies. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. Company's private funds, and municipality funds for containers to supply the residents. Social innovation In three months, 2,325 kilograms of used oil were collected in the "We are building Lithuania!" project of social initiatives, in which 14 schools and kindergartens of Joniškis district participated. As many as 166 special containers were built to collect oil in educational institutions. All used oil will be processed and become part of the ecological fuel—biodiesel. It is estimated that the collected oil will allow the production of approximately 1,813 litres of biodiesel, with which a passenger car could travel over 22,000 kilometres. Challenges and barriers By proactively addressing the challenges such as convenient recycling station availability for residents, lack of awareness and participation, regulations for treated oil application and implementing appropriate contingency measures, community-based schemes for used cooking oil collection and processing can enhance their effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term viability. Collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are key to overcoming barriers and achieving success in such initiatives. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 50 І76 4.12 Grazinti Verta GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme “Gražinti Verta” Country/region Whole country, Lithuania Promoter/initiator Non Profit Public institution "Užstato Sistemos Administratorius" (USAD) and founders Type of entity NGO or CSO Start date (year)- End date (year) 2006 - Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* https://grazintiverta.lt/en/about/74 DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Plastic packaging (PET bottles), glass, metal Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ☐ Local businesses ☐ Media ✔ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ✔ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs, ✔ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ☐ Other Objectives: The objectives of the system can be inferred as follows: a) Environmental protection: Waste Reduction and resource efficiency; b) Stakeholder Engagement; c) Compliance and Accountability: d) Economic Viability. By addressing these objectives, the system aims to create a more sustainable and circular economy within the beverage industry, benefiting both society and the environment. Figure 21. Promotional video of Grazinti verta. Source: Youtube A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 51 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology 1. Manufacturers and importers supply beverages for the consumers who pay both the price for the product and the deposit for the packaging. 2. Consumer returns the packaging (labelled) to the retailer using reverse vending machines and the retailer reimburses the deposit to the consumer. 3. Retailer returns reusable packaging to manufacturers, USAD calculates it, and reimburses the deposit for retailer accordingly. 4. The manufacturer pays USAD the price for the packaging. The deposit for 1 unit of package (bottle) is 10 euro cents, applicable to the following types of one-way packaging: glass (except for some fruit wine, fruitwine-based drinks and fruit-wine cocktails in one-way glass packaging); PET; metal. Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Reuse. The system encourages the return of packaging for potential reuse. Recycle. The primary goal of the deposit return system is to promote recycling by incentivizing consumers to return beverage packaging for recycling or reuse. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) It is possible to follow online the number of returned packaging live: https://grazintiverta.lt/en/about/69 Related costs Industry fees for manufacturers and importers are set so that the net financial result of USAD would equal to zero. More info in this link Operational and financial results plan for 2022: Link to report Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Reverse vending machines Impact and sustainability In Lithuania USAD collects 9 out of 10 beverage cans, one-way glass and plastic bottles, marked with the deposit system mark, placed on the market each year. The system contributes to a circular approach by reducing the consumption of raw materials, minimizing waste generation, and promoting the reuse and recycling of resources within the beverage supply chain. According to public opinion, the system contributes to the clean-up of the environment, helps to reduce the amount of litter found in forests, lakes and other natural sites. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. Founding members are Lithuanian Association of Breweries, Association of Lithuanian Trade Enterprises, Lithuanian Natural Mineral Water Manufacturers Association. Sometimes the deposit system is adapted in institutions to collect support funds. USAD receives revenue from 3 sources: subsidies for beverage producers and importers (main source of funding, 50%); secondary raw materials sold (30%), not withdrawn deposit (deposit for unreturned packaging, 20%). Social innovation Several factors can be considered as social innovation, as they address social and environmental challenges: a) Deposit Return System. Implementing a deposit return system incentivizes consumers to return packaging for recycling, reducing litter and promoting environmental stewardship, while fostering a sense of responsibility among consumers towards waste management. b) Collaboration. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, retailers, citizens, and a deposit management entity (USAD), highlights a collaborative approach to addressing. environmental challenges. c) Behavioural Change. The deposit return system prompts a shift in consumer behaviour towards recycling and waste reduction. Challenges and barriers The system requires collaboration among stakeholders, innovative solutions, and ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable practices. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 52 І76 4.13 Antakalnieciu Community GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Association "Antakalniečių Community" Country/region Vilnius City, Lithuania Promoter/initiator Public Institution and founders Type of entity NGO or CSO Start date (year)- End date (year) 2005 - Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* http://www.antakalnieciai.lt/sample-page/ DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Fruit and vegetable waste Stakeholders involved ☐ Local businesses ☐ Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs, ✔ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ☐ Other (please specify) Objectives • To promote the creation and education of civil and communal society; • to seek the development of self-government; • to contribute to meeting the economic, social and spiritual needs of the residents of the Antakalnis area; • to ensure that the living environment is not damaged. Intervention type/structure and methodology The community consists of volunteers who work without remuneration, are not committed to anyone except the community and are accountable only to the members of the association. Activity Sapiega’s gardeners. Currently, about 15 members of the community are gardening in Sapiegu Park, who Figure 22. Composting activity at the community. Source: Association website A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 53 І76 come at their convenient time. The activities of Sapiega's gardeners exemplify circularity by emphasizing resource efficiency, community sharing and collaboration, and external knowledge exchange, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and resilient local food system. More info. Activity We Protect The Environment. The Community annually organises Coastal (Riva Neris) management and cleaning initiatives. The initiative reflects circularity by promoting community engagement, knowledge sharing, recognition of environmental achievements, and proactive efforts to address environmental challenges. More info. Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Rethink - fosters resource efficiency, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship; Reduce - reducing consumption and waste generation through mindful resource management, product design innovation, and behavioural shifts of the community members. Reuse - encourages community members to repurpose, refurbish, and exchange goods, materials, and resources; Recycle - practices to systematically collect, sort, and process materials for reintegration into the production cycle. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) Video about activities of Community: http://www.antakalnieciai.lt/video-irasai/ All activities of Community: http://www.antakalnieciai.lt/apie/ Related costs The community uses a hall in a municipality building on the territory of Sapiegų Park. It has an annual membership fee. As an NGO, it prepares and submits Project proposals for Community activities. Enabling technologies fostering circularity. No technologies required Impact and sustainability Community empowerment: Organizing environmental hikes, events, and educational programs raises awareness about environmental issues and fosters a culture of sustainability within the community. Reduction of resources consumption: By cultivating vegetables locally, the initiative reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and promotes biodiversity within the park environment. Capacity building and training: providing members with agricultural skills and resources to grow their own food, promoting self-sufficiency and food security. Long-term sustainability: Collaboration with municipal authorities and participation in European initiatives (project RU: RBAN) provide institutional support and resources for ongoing environmental conservation efforts. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. Membership, funds for NGO, project activities. Social innovation Community-driven approach to address social and environmental challenges, fostering inclusivity, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective action for positive change. Active involvement of residents in environmental conservation efforts demonstrates a bottom-up approach to addressing environmental challenges. Challenges and barriers Lack of sufficient resources, such as funding, tools, and materials, may hinder the expansion and sustainability of the gardening initiative. Seasonality of gardening activities depending on weather conditions and growing seasons. Reluctance or disability of individuals to commit time and effort to gardening due to other obligations or interests. Rapid urbanization and development may threaten the natural environment and green spaces in Antakalnis A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 54 І76 4.14 Barrio La Pinada GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Barrio La Pinada: Spain's First Co-Created Sustainable Neighborhood Country/region Valencia, Spain Promoter/initiator Zubi Cities (Zubi Labs) Type of entity Private Sector, Public-private collaboration Start date (year)- End date (year) 2017 Status Ongoing Link or contact for further information* Website: https://zubicities.com/proyectos/barrio-la-pinada/ Contact: [email protected] DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved The initiative at Barrio La Pinada potentially involves multiple value chains in the circular economy (sustainable urban development, green building, renewable energy, and waste management) Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ✔ Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ✔ Civil society/NGOs ☐ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ✔ Other: Universities Objectives: Co-create a sustainable neighbourhood with emphasis on green living, efficient resource management, and community well-being Figure 23. Building constructed with recycled materials in La Pinada A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 55 І76 Intervention type/structure and methodology Educational spaces and co-creation workshops with future residents and expert professionals to collaboratively develop innovative and efficient solutions integrating sustainability in its three dimensions (social, economic, and environmental). Organization of the “Rethinking Cities” congress to discuss topics like energy, water, and data. The project is under development due to legal requirements Circular strategy(- ies). strategies based on the 9R’s or any other. Rethink is applied in envisioning the urban design to prioritize a sustainable lifestyle. Reduce is evident in the efficient use of resources and minimization of CO2 emissions. Use of recycled building materials, building with energy efficiency criteria. Reduction of plastics, promotion of local products through food markets. Reuse is promoted through shared community services and amenities. On-demand shared electric mobility with the city centre. Repair is incorporated into the design for disassembly, using reversible connections. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • Circular economy guidelines: Link to pdf • Presentation. Link to pdf • Press dossier. Link to pdf Related costs Not provided. May be related to investment in renewable materials and technologies, infrastructure for sustainable energy and water management, and the systems required for efficient waste reduction and resource recovery. Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Barrio La Pinada incorporates enabling technologies that support its circularity principles: sustainable construction methods, renewable energy systems like solar panels and geothermal energy, smart water management systems, and innovative waste treatment solutions such as anaerobic digesters for biogas production. Urban design also features permeable pavements and sustainable drainage systems Impact and sustainability There are no reports available on actual impacts. Environmental impact: fostering sustainable living and reducing environmental footprints. This includes renewable energy usage, waste reduction, and water management, ensuring that the community remains resilient and self-sufficient. Social impact: promoting resilience and self-sufficiency, and cultivating an environmentally conscious culture among residents. Sustainability: educational projects to carry circular principles forward by future generations. Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. EU funding: It's part of the "Smart Sustainable Districts" program within Climate KIC by the EU's European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Collaboration with public administrations: 30% are expected to be social housing. Social innovation Barrio La Pinada's approach to social innovation is multifaceted, emphasizing community engagement and co-creation from the outset. It includes aspects such as: Activism (Promoting environmental and social initiatives); Community Involvement (urban innovation workshops focusing on key themes like energy, water, and social innovation); Education (Montessori school to foster a culture of lifelong learning and sustainability); Inclusivity (Ensuring the neighbourhood is accessible, equitable, and caters to a diverse community) Challenges and barriers Challenges in attracting residents who are aligned with the community's participatory and unconventional living model. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 56 І76 4.15Circularcity Figure 24. Logo of the Circularicity initiative GENERAL INFORMATION Title of the communitybased scheme Circularicity: Civic Crowdfunding for the Circular Economy. Country/region Capannori, Lucca, Italy Promoter/initiator Municipality of Capannori with the collaboration of Sociolab, Eppela Type of entity Combination of Local Government and NonGovernmental Organization Start date (year)- End date (year) JuneNovember 2017 Status Completed Link or contact for further information* https://open.toscana.it/web/circularicity/ Contact: community of Cappanori. Link DESCRIPTION Value chain(s) involved Focus on circular economy practices including recycling, creative reuse, and sustainable living Stakeholders involved (please check all that apply) ✔ Local businesses ✔ Media ☐ Manufacturing industries ✔ Citizens (individuals) ☐ Retail sector ✔ civil society/NGOs ☐ Public utilities (Municipal/regional) ✔ Public administrations ✔ Other: Universities Objectives: To stimulate innovative civil society projects focused on sustainability, recycling, and creative reuse; to encourage citizen participation in public A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 57 І76 spending through crowdfunding; to experiment with collaborative solutions between citizens, institutions, and communities. Intervention type/structure and methodology A participatory process involving crowdfunding, workshops, social media, and collaboration between public bodies and citizens, aiming to develop civic capacities and influence decisions of government and public bodies Supported by Tuscany's Regional Authority for the Promotion of Participation Circular strategy(-ies). strategies based on the 9R's or any other. Circularicity employed a holistic approach to circular economy principles, fostering projects that embody the 9R's: Rethinkrethink consumption habits; Reducereduce waste. Project ConServe with Caritas promoting a laboratory to fight food waste/loss; Reusereuse materials; Repair, Refurbishrepair items instead of discarding them, refurbish old goods; Recycle, Recover— recycle efficiently, and recover resources. Use of 3D printing with to create goods with recycled plastic, urban mining for building materials. Resources available (videos, guidelines, reports, materials, links) • Participedia infosheet: Link • Programme. Link to pdf • Funded projects. Link • Capannori ZeroWaste: Link to pdf Related costs For the Circularicity project, the crowdfunding efforts through the Eppela platform allowed each of the five projects to achieve 50% of their funding goals through community support. The Municipality of Capannori complemented this by providing the remaining 50%, contributing a total of €20,000 to support these sustainable local economy initiatives. Enabling technologies fostering circularity. Circularicity supported projects that leverage technology for sustainability: a 3D printing initiative recycling plastic into useful items, a scheme to reclaim electrical components, a lab targeting food waste reduction, a program for land and job restoration, and a platform for exchanging goods using a novel currency. Impact and sustainability 40% of waste reduction (average waste went from 1,92 kg to 1,18 kg/person/year); Separate collection increased rate to 82%; Residual waste per capita reduced by 57%. Waste tariffs for residents have been reduced by 20% while 93 tonnes of items were dropped at the Reuse Centre. Capannori became an international example. Inspired by its success, today nearly 400 European municipalities are walking the path towards Zero Waste Financing Schemes or instruments used by the project. Funded through civic crowdfunding and partially by the regional government. Social innovation Use of Social Innovation Camp method in the two-day immersive workshop organized according to the method: competition between innovative ideas, which uses the web Use of Business Model Canvas, a time schedule and a commercial plan (Business Plan) are constructed, and crowdfunding strategies are defined. Challenges and barriers • lack of transparency in co-financing information and the absence of detailed documentation during evaluation phases. • The two-step project selection process limited the number of initiatives that could be supported, necessitating substantial resources for training and crowdsourcing support. • No post-project monitoring to assess long-term impacts. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 64 І76 fight against food waste and the promotion of recycling. It has provided the ground for business to flourish in this sector. It has boosted community cohesion by involving the community in decision making from the outset, and by making a strong commitment throughout the project. The initiative supports local agriculture and reduces food waste by transforming surplus food into high quality preserves. Through civic crowdfunding and collaboration with local partners, Conserve improves community cohesion, preserves local food traditions and promotes a circular economy. This model demonstrates the potential of local initiatives to drive significant social and environmental impact. Challenges and barriers • Possibility of incorporating further seasonal products into the collection and research • Conducting workshops on giving products a second life, such as cooking workshops on food reuse • Establishing collection points in urban areas to bring recycling facilities closer to citizens; improving accessibility A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 65 І76 6 Evaluation of the results Thanks to the street market community-based scheme, we were able to get feedback during the day-to-day contact with the citizens visiting the market and vendors, which has been useful for Agro2Circular to conclude that circular economy is already perceived as beneficial. The activity reached about 150 people per day, in a rough estimation, since a high variability was detected depending on weather conditions, coincidence with holidays or other local events. The largest group of stakeholders reached were housewives along with pensioners, as the Alhama City market operates on the mornings of working day (Tuesday). Nevertheless, when the market took place during a scholar holiday, a higher affluence of students from primary and secondary schools was detected, many of them accompanied by relatives (mainly grandparents). It can be highlighted that those students that had participated in other project activities (such as talks, seminars or the videogames contests, framed within 8.3) attracted their relatives to the project booth at the street market, to explain what they have learnt about recycling and Circular Economy. Another important group visiting the booth at the Alhama city market were the local political decision makers and public servants, for instance the technicians at the local development agencies that encouraged citizens and market vendors to participate in the activities, as well as counsellors of the City Hall, interested in the progress of the project. The market vendors, and their associations, revealed as a key stakeholder participating in the project and encouraging citizens to reduce fruit and vegetable waste and to use biodegradable bags. Moreover, it was detected that many of them were interested in participating in the initiative, but their involvement was hindered since the products they sell (textiles, electronic devices, toys, other types of fruits and vegetables) were not included within the scope of the project. 1.Economic impact: the feedback obtained from citizens indicated that they consider Circular Economy as positive due to the generation of new job positions and the updating of existing ones. They declared that the activities carried out had helped them to save by avoiding the purchase of unnecessary products (fruit/vegetables/clothing), in line with the “refuse” and “rethink” strategies, the reduction of food waste and the promotion of new A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 66 І76 business models based on reuse, such as second-hand clothing, according to “reuse” or “refurbish” strategy, which in addition contributes to diversifying the local economy. 2. Social impact: the community stated, through the feedback provided, that the activities in the booth had encouraged them to make responsible purchases, and they perceived an improvement in their quality of life through the acquisition of more durable products. They have been made aware of the second life that the products/objects they dispose of can have and of their multiple possibilities if they are deposited in the appropriate recycling container. All this entails a cultural and educational change that promotes a sustainable mentality, increasing environmental awareness. 3.Environmental impact: Both citizens and vendors who participated in the activity stated in their comments that they had learned through everyday examples provided at the stand and felt encouraged to apply the knowledge presented to them at home, reducing waste and minimizing waste generation by reusing products and materials. They felt that they had learned about how the exploitation of resources can be reduced and about alternatives, such as walking or cycling around the city. The workshops given on recycling and the different types of existing plastics were considered useful for reducing pollution in the municipality, and for promoting better water and soil conservation that would improve public health. 4. Innovation and Technology: this community-based scheme was revealed as a good opportunity to bring science and technology closer to society, as some of the products obtained during the project were showcased by the partners at the booth during some of the market days. Citizens and market vendors stated that they now can better recognise the importance of collaboration and the role of science and technological advances to improve our environment, stimulating innovation driven by research and development of new materials and recycling technologies. The knowledge-transfer, through the information and workshops provided at the booth (on different plastic types, waste management and recycling practices), was considered crucial for the success of the project, raising awareness of how the resources of a variety of stakeholders (industry, public administration, and research institutions) can be devoted to improving the planet. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 67 І76 In summary, what has had the greatest impact, according to visitors, is the commitment to innovation and collaboration, which encourages creativity in the design of durable and recyclable products and promotes a cultural shift towards more conscious consumption. The community-based scheme can be considered a brilliant and necessary strategy that can be transferred to other municipalities, with the support of local administrations and civil society organisations, addressing some of the greatest challenges of our time: the scarcity of resources, environmental pollution and climate change. According to the feedback obtained, the community-based scheme could also be extended to other products present in the market. The activity was considered to foster new forms of business, such as the collaborative economy and repair, that strengthen local communities. Being able to transform the way we produce and consume not only promotes environmental sustainability but also generates economic and social opportunities. Through the activity, the project has also been able to gather feedback that has been transferred to local administrations to improve waste management and has received interest from policy makers; for instance, the City Counsellor on Environment stated the intention to accelerate the installation of containers for organic waste (the “brown container”), that needs to be approved by the regional government holding the competences on waste management. As a result, it has been suggested to install a suggestions box at the City Hall to continue collecting requests from the community, on circular economy issues. While it is not a magic bullet and requires a massive mindset shift and political support, it can be considered a key pathway to a more sustainable and equitable future. As for the other community-based schemes (CBS) analysed in this report, the following lessons can be extracted: • Half of the CBS are started by civil society organisations, while the others are promoted by private companies. • Those schemes initiated by civil society were found to require less technological inputs and be based on networking, while facing challenges related to funding or intensifying the network as they rely on the work on volunteers. On the other hand, the schemes initiated by private initiatives were related to recovery processes requiring more advanced technologies (recovering butts, oil, aluminium) and relied A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 68 І76 on circular business models for funding (for instance, benefits from other branches) but were less rooted in communities. • Some of the CBS found provided no details on the amount and the type of costs incurred, which hinders the evaluation of their impact, long term sustainability and transferability to other contexts • Only 4 of the CBS relied on the participation of the different stakeholders (public administrations, industry, CSOs). This collaboration is considered necessary for the long-term sustainability of the initiative, providing with knowledge, skills and resources (i.e. funding) to engage communities in the implementation. • Adequate policies and legislative measures are needed for the implementation of community-based schemes, for instance, facilitating recovery of packaging through deposit return systems or reducing barriers to the handover of surplus food to charities or non-profits. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 69 І76 7 Conclusions Community-led based initiatives such as the activity carried out in the local market in Alhama through Agro2circular play a key role for involving local communities and citizenship in circular economy initiatives: they allow to raise awareness on the importance of the topic and promote a change of mindset towards sustainable consumption habits; to collect valuable feedback on their needs and expectations ensuring the responsiveness of R+D activities; and to bring stakeholders (specially those usually difficult to reach due to sociocultural barriers) closer to European projects results, allowing them to better recognise the importance of collaboration in innovation and the role of science and technological advances to improve our environment. To enhance the impact of community-based schemes, the organisation should consider potential synergies with other public participation activities to be exploited during the organisation of the activity. Some examples that yielded a good result in the project were the capacity building webinars and videogames contests held at educational centres, surveys, raffles or prizes during some market days, and the recording of a videodocumentary that also reflected the challenges that Circular Economy poses at local and regional level. Community based activities also reflect the important role that governance plays in Circular economy, accompanied by adequate policies, as local decision makers and public servants are close to their communities and can encourage citizens and market vendors to participate in the activities, while they also may be limited by the competencies in waste management policies (i.e. existence of higher level regulations, local budget or logistics such as containers). On their part, civil society organisations reveal as key stakeholders, as their participation encourage other citizens to adopt circular strategies such as reducing waste, or using biodegradable). Collaboration of the Quadruple Helix is considered essential for the long-term sustainability of the initiatives, providing with knowledge, skills and resources (i.e. funding) to engage communities in the implementation. The initiative could be expanded to other types of wastes such as textile, electronic waste, to provide educational material on resource use and alternatives, and promote circular business models such as reuse of refurbish. It could also be replicated in other municipalities, as knowledge transfer, and activities like raffles or prizes do not require A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 70 І76 complex technologies, although they are highly time-demanding; on the contrary, activities that need technologically advanced processes (such as the upcycling of fruit and vegetable waste) are more difficult to replicate as they have strong dependency on waste volume and characteristics, and external funding. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 71 І76 8 Bibliography [1] J. Anschütz, ‘Community-Based Solid Waste Management and Water Supply Projects: A survey of the literature’. WASTE, 1997. Accessed: Mar. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ircwash.org/sites/default/files/Anschutz-1997-Community.pdf [2] L. G. TOUKO HAMANI, ‘Community Based Solutions for Urban Mining and the Circular Economy in African Cities: Case of Yaoundé’, Masters Thesis, Ecole Natioinale Superieure des Trabaux PublicsUniversitá degli Studi di Padova, 2020. Accessed: Mar. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://thesis.unipd.it/retrieve/a9a196eb-3279-44cc-86fc27b21283921f/1212110_Touko%20Hamani_File%20Tesi_A.pdf [3] European Commission, The European Green Deal. 2019. Accessed: Jun. 14, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52019DC0640&from=EN [4] R. Radhiana, S. Yana, N. Nelly, C. W. M. Noor, and R. Rusiyanto, ‘Community-Based Waste Management Innovations for Sustainable Environmental and Economic Development’, International Journal of Community Service, vol. 1, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Mar. 2025, Accessed: Mar. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://e-journal.scholarpublishing.org/index.php/ijcs/article/view/76 [5] N. van Haren, R. Fleiner, H. Liniger, and N. Harari, ‘Contribution of community-based initiatives to the sustainable development goal of Land Degradation Neutrality’, Environmental Science & Policy, vol. 94, pp. 211–219, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2018.12.017. [6] R. Fadlallah et al., ‘Barriers and facilitators to implementation, uptake and sustainability of community-based health insurance schemes in lowand middle-income countries: a systematic review’, International Journal for Equity in Health, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 13, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1186/s12939-018-0721-4. [7] B. M. Bringsken, I. Loureiro, C. Ribeiro, C. Vilarinho, and J. Carvalho, ‘Community Involvement Towards a Circular Economy: a Sociocultural Assessment of Projects and Interventions to Reduce Undifferentiated Waste’, European Journal of Sustainable Development, vol. 7, no. 4, Art. no. 4, Oct. 2018, doi: 10.14207/ejsd.2018.v7n4p496. [8] H. Alimoradiyan, A. Hajinezhad, H. Yousefi, and M. Giampietro, ‘Fostering community participation in sustainable municipal solid waste management at multiple scales in Tehran, Iran’, Results in Engineering, vol. 22, p. 102174, Jun. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102174. A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 72 І76 9 ANNEXES 9.1.1 Communication materials Figure 27. Roll Up for community-based scheme A2C – Deliverable D7.4v2.0 Page 73 І76 Figure 28. Poster for community-based scheme Figure 29. A2C flyer in Spanish