“At GreenTech Hub, we are thrilled to be part of this transformative initiative that aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate sustainable innovation in Lithuania and beyond. ECIV will not only drive the transition to a circular economy but also foster collaboration across industries and borders, creating new opportunities for growth and technological advancements. This is a crucial step towards a more resilient, resource-efficient Europe, and we are proud to contribute to this shared vision of a sustainable future,” said the Head of GreenTech Hub Teresė Škutaitė.
With a budget of €27.2 million, the ECIV project is set to turn European regions into dynamic circular economy hubs — so called Europe’s “dance floor” for circular solutions.
Over the next five years, ECIV will make a significant advance in the transition towards a circular economy of the regions (and Europe as a whole) generating sustainable growth and development in the participating regions. This will be possible through an innovation ecosystem movilization, dinamization and connexion.
60% of the total budget will be devoted to open calls that will foster innovations like the creation of new materials or energy-efficient technologies; promote resource management through new and improved industrial processes, and stimulate economic growth by enhancing collaboration between governments, businesses, and research institutions across Europe.
Funding opportunities for companies and startups operating in the realm of circular economy will begin by 2025, preceding a period of preparatory work and activities focused on building the ecosystem.
Led by the Government of Navarra, Spain, ECIV is a collaboration between key regional partners, including the Northern Netherlands Alliance, North Middle Sweden Region, Normandie Region, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria, the Service Public de Wallonie Economie, the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, Scottish Enterprise, and Lithuania's Innovation Agency in the Baltics, as well as the Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management (ACR+). This diverse consortium is united by a shared goal: to make Europe the global leader in circular economy practices.
