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Key EU supported initiatives on the Circular Economy draw interest at #WCEF2024

With participants representing 158 countries, WCEF2024 served as a global platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and transformative action towards a more sustainable future. The European Commission addressed the audience with an exhibition stand that highlights key EU policy proposals and showcases selected key initiatives funded by the EU to accelerate the circular economy – already including a 40 Million Euro commitment to Eastern and Southern Africa – discover more.

#WCEF2024: The EU in the global circular economy transition: inspiration, incentives, and market leverage of EU Initiatives

Are EU initiatives towards a circular economy transition a source of inspiration, paving the way for innovative policies, business and market practices, while bolstering competitiveness? Or do they risk creating barriers for market access or global trade? These were the underlying questions for the Accelerator Session hosted by the European Commission and partners. And answers were surprising….

A secret recipe for transformation and a proven circular business model: Take aways from #WCEF2024 panel discussion

At #WCEF2024, Martin Seychell, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships was part of a panel discussing what kind of policies are needed  to manage the circular economy transition, and how companies see the regulatory changes ahead. In the session ‘European and global perspectives on policy, investment and innovation’, he explained the EU’s role in in driving circular policies and investments – discover more.

SWITCH to Green Services at a Glance

The SWITCH to Green Facility supports EU international partnerships of DG NEAR, DG International Partnerships and EU Delegations by providing technical assistance where good will or enthusiasm for innovation may be complemented by additional operational, knowledge or other capacities.

Technical Assistance

SWITCH to Green contributes to the identification and formulation of EU supported actions, both remotely and through in-country missions.

Quality Support

The Facility assists in steering, management, delivery, and M&E of on-going green economy actions. Support is delivered remotely and through in-country missions.

Capacity Development

The Facility delivers trainings and learning events to assist EU staff and international partners to promote a better understanding of the green economy

Communication and outreach

By making information on policy developments and impact available, the Facility supports communication on the green, notably circular economy transition.

Dialogue and Coordination

The Facility supports policy dialogue, and exchange across EU partner countries with events ranging from technical meetings to high-level policy debates.

Development of tools

On-demand, the Facility supports the creation of tailor-made tools that stimulate learning and streamlining of content among a diverse set of target groups.

Greening Cooperation across the Globe

The interactive map is conceived as a gateway providing information on Inclusive Green Economy-related activities (including their objectives, status, results, partners, funders and budgets) implemented with EU support. Each individual project or programme is linked to its related Sustainable Development Goal(s) SDG-and 10YFP programme, showing the concrete contribution of the EU to the sustainable consumption and production (SCP)-related objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This visualization and analysis of project information contributes to empower understanding, insights, monitoring of green economy programming. Enhanced details spring from the map as you click on countries or search the data available. By displaying project data—such as sectors, themes, drivers for scaling up or beneficiaries – the map tells the interrelated stories about the progress of the transition to green, notably circular economy. Projects can be searched using keywords or using pre-set filters.  

The projects displayed in the map promote partnerships with a large range of actors, including (i) the private sector, counting business associations and service providers, as well as MSMEs which form the main target group; (ii) NGOs, promoting participation in policy development processes and delivering support to MSMEs and (iii) International Organisations.

Circular Economy - Country Case Studies

EU external action policy also prioritises the circular economy transition at regional level: In Latin America and the Caribbean, circular practices reinforce trade and investment cooperation, including by diversifying and modernising economic models to make them fit for globalisation. In Asia and Central Asia, a circular shift contributes to human health and the quality of life, economic diversification, new business opportunities and economic growth. Case studies illustrate different strategies for the transitions.