New online platform to help urban circular economy projects get off the ground

• The Circular City Funding Guide, an online platform providing information on the financing of circular economy projects in cities, was officially launched at the Cities Forum in Porto.
• The guide offers extensive information for both fund-seekers, on available financing, and funders wishing to create financing programmes for circular economy projects.

On Friday 31 January, the Circular City Funding Guide was launched at the Cities Forum in Porto (Portugal). The Guide is an online platform designed to support municipalities, businesses and other urban actors in their transition to a circular economy. It aims to fill an important information and financing gap as the number of available funding programmes dedicated to circular projects as well as the awareness of these funds is insufficient. It will do so by providing, on one hand, knowledge about the different sources of funding available to cities and the specific conditions to access them, and, on the other hand, information for funders on how to screen, select, monitor and support circular economy projects.

The Guide was initiated by the Urban Agenda Partnership on Circular Economy, and developed by EIB and external experts mobilised by the European Investment Advisory Hub, in cooperation with a working group of stakeholders. The website contains extensive information on circular frontrunners, available funding sources (presenting 100+ sources), and approaches on how to set-up a circular funding programme. In addition, the user can benefit from various informative case studies, a dedicated glossary and a comprehensive resources library.

EIB Vice-President Emma Navarro, responsible for Climate and Environment, said: “European cities are home to around 75% of the European population. As such, their concentration of people, businesses and material flows makes them excellent engines for the circular economy. The Circular City Funding Guide developed by the European Investment Bank through the European Investment Advisory Hub provides an extensive funding toolbox to help get urban circular economy projects off the ground. By minimizing waste and promoting the reuse of resources, cities are reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a better environment.”

Background information

The European Investment Advisory Hub is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank under the Investment Plan for Europe. EIAH provides access to a number of advisory and technical assistance programmes and initiatives, also through its network of partner institutions, to project promoters, public authorities and private companies.

The Urban Agenda Partnership on Circular Economy is one of the 14 partnerships under the Urban Agenda for the EU that aims to identify ways to improve EU legislation, funding and knowledge sharing for cities. The circular economy partnership, which gathers cities, the European Commission, the EIB and other stakeholders, has focused on identifying and analysing barriers to the circular transition in cities, and based on that developed 12 actions that address these barriers.