Regional Strategies for Circular Economy in Central Macedonia

1. European Week of Regions and Cities7-10 October 2019Brussels

2. How a local authority can improve policies for circular economy The StrategicPlan for CircularEconomy in the Region of CentralMacedonia ApostolosTzitzikostas Governor of the RegionCentralMacedonia, Greece Chrysanthi Kiskini Architect  | MA in Environmental Studies Region of Central Macedonia  |  Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia Head of Department of European Union Projects c.kiskini@rdfcm.gr

3. The Region of Central Macedonia • 2ndlargestregion in Greece • 1,882,108 people or 17.2 % of the country'spopulation. It is the second most populous region in Greece after Attica. • GDP per capita: 14,400 € • For 2018 the Region of Central Macedonia wasgrantedwith “European EntrepreneurialRegion” labelby European Commission and the Committee of the Regions of EU.

4. Region of Central Macedonia Strategy for circular economy • Integrationof Circular Economy in the Region’s Development Plan • RCM Strategy for circular economy • Bottom – Up Consultation through Regional meetings with all the local stakeholders • Improvement of existing policy tools • Redesigning of SME support tools • Based on EU good practices and EU policies for circular economy

5. Region of Central Macedonia • The Strategic plan for promoting circular economy. Main challenges. • Integration and implementation of policies by public bodies in order to boost circular economy. • Improvement of investments based in Circular Economy by private entrepreneurships. • Training and awareness raising of the society for the implementation of actions based in Circular Economy.

6. Region of Central Macedonia The Action plan The action plan of the Region of Central Macedonia for Circular economy is composed of 3 main pillars: Integration of circulareconomyactionsat the Regional Operational Programme of Central Macedonia 2014-2020 Integration of “circulareconomy” at the ROPRCM in the nextprogrammingperiod (2021-2027) Targetedstrategicactions of RIS3 at RCM toenforcecirculareconomy

7. Integration of circular economy actions at the ROP 2014-2020 • Regional Operational Programme: The most important funding and development tool for the Region (approved 18.12.2014 – revision: 06.12.2017). Public Funds: 1,009 M€ • RCM proposed the introduction of measures and activities at ROP RCM 2014-2020 through which SMEs will finance investments for the transition to circular economy. • Specifically, it is proposed to be implemented in three ways: • Introduction of the “circular economy" criterion in the evaluation procedures from the ROP 2014-2020 to calls that concern funding of SMEs. • Creation of a mechanism to promote the idea and good practices on the circular economy. • Innovation vouchers for SMEs for funding actions based in circular economy.

8. Introduction of the “circular economy" criterion • A call has been lauched regarding the modernization of existing small and medium –sized enterprises in the Region of Central Macedonia. • Launched in late February. • Application submissions till end of August. SME’s will be eligible to apply for a grant in order to synchronize their facilities, improve their resource efficiency and embed circular economy practices.

9. R.U. Kilkis R.U. Pella R.U. Serres • Introduction of the “circular economy" criterion Thessaloniki R.U. Thessaloniki • Region of Central Macedonia organized information events for its 7 Regional Units in order to keep the regions SME’s and public servants up to date with the funding opportunities related to circular economy. • SME’s owners were informed about the call in conjunction with good practices and upgrades that can be implemented regarding circular economy actions. R.U. Chalkidiki R.U. Imathia R.U. Pieria

10. Creation of a mechanism to promote the idea and good practices on the circular economy. • Region of Central Macedonia has established a One Liaison Shop in March 2019 in the Region’s premises. • Trained staff is available to the public, SME’s owners’/representatives and others for information, regarding circular economy related calls, vouchers, good practices, events and more. • A matching event will be organized so as the SME's and the research institutes can be in touch in order to exchange knowledge and good practices for circular economy implementation.

11. Integration of “circular economy” at the ROP • in the next programming period (2021-2027) • Promotion of the integration of the term “circular economy” into the next programming period NSRF 2021-2027. It is important that “circular economy” will be explicitly reflected at the Region's of Central Macedonia financial priority axes. • A planning team is already active for the preparation of the Regional Operational Programme for the new NSRF 2021-2027 in Central Macedonia. It’s target is to include the concept and proposals for “circular economy” at the ROP, shaped according to Region’s stakeholders needs and the dynamics of the entrepreneurial environment.

12. Targeted strategic actions of RIS3 to enforce circular economy • The RIS3 Strategy of the Region of Central Macedonia includes the idea of circular economy by identifying the need to reduce environmental impact of specific economic sectors and by using the terms "clean energy”, materials and packaging’ recycling and waste treatment. • The Preliminary Action Plan concluded indicative relevant proposals for champions and horizontal support areas, which will be finalized after consultation between governance bodies and enterprises. In this plan, one of the sectors that will be included as a unique sector in our RIS3 strategy, is Circular Economy.

13. Operational action – business plan for promoting circular economy Tools for Implementation & Funding ERDF & ESF funds from the Regional Operational Programmes 2014 – 2020 & 2021 – 2027 ERDF & ESF funds from the Sectoral Operational Programmes 2014 – 2020 & 2021 - 2027 National Funds of RCM ' s budget PrivatefundingforinvestmentsregardingthedevelopmentofentrepreneurshipinthesectorofCircularEconomy

14. Region of Central Macedonia Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Thessaloniki, Greece d.innovation@pkm.gov.gr Tel. +302313 319790