Unlocking circular economy solutions in Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship
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In 2020, the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform organised an online peer review for the region of Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, Poland. The region was seeking advice on how to accelerate the shift to a circular economy.
In 2020, the Voivodeship designed its new regional programme to allocate EU funds for sustainable growth in 2021-2027. It saw this as an opportunity to embed the concept of circular economy in the priorities defined for the new programme. The Voivodeship was therefore seeking ideas for action in areas such as:
- Sustainable waste management
- Eco-innovation
- Green entrepreneurship
- Product life extension
- Resource efficiency
- Cleaner energy production.
For inspiration, the Voivodeship contacted the Platform and requested a peer review.
The positive impact of the peer review
In January 2021, the board adopted the key peer review recommendations and included circular economy and related projects in the new regional operational programme. Based on the lessons learnt from the peer review, the managing authority decided to comprehensively integrate circular economy measures under three of the programme’s strategic priorities (a smarter, greener, and a more social Europe).
Consequently, the region began to work more closely with local businesses and residents, as well as municipalities. It prepared a targeted communication campaign for potential beneficiaries to bring about new circular economy projects that could be co-financed by the new programme.
Finally, the Voivodeship shared their positive peer review experience with the neighbouring Pomorskie region, which decided to apply for and host their own peer review. Pomorskie’s peer review took place in June 2022 and looked for solutions to boost local and regional participation in EU research and innovation programmes.
Hear is from the hosts themselves
Peer review publication
Find more information on the methodology and experiences of previous beneficiaries in our publication:
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