Investing in saving resources together

The final conference of the DECISO project will be held in Brusselles on 24 October 2025 in the THON HOTEL BRISTOL STEPHANIE Av. Louise 91/93, 1050

Final dissemination workshop

Summary of the DECISO Workshop

The DECISO project has successfully developed four pilot initiatives across Europe, focusing on innovative circular economy solutions in various sectors: the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Hamburg, the Circular Agrifood Ecosystem in Alentejo, the DISCO Project for digital water management in Northwest Germany, and biomass utilization for energy in Western Macedonia. As the project moves toward its exploitation phase, this workshop aims to facilitate knowledge transfer and establish formal collaboration frameworks with potential replicators. Join us online or in Brussels to discuss the future and replication of the DECISO pilots with us! Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0a676004-e3d9-4edd-af8c-b03e47a15f0d@6d589991-6e93-4961-a259-a9639901a678

25 June | Brussels and online

The third DECISO project newsletter is now available!

Why has DECISO already been pivotal in Northwest Germany?

MDHCA to investigate combined heat and power systems thanks to DECISO

DECISO, a catalyst for circular economy innovation in Hamburg and beyond

Discover the successes of DECISO in the Alentejo region

Workshop related to the dissemination of the project and the main results untill now and present potential good practices on financial schemes

DECISO Dissemination Workshop - Pop-Up Circular Hub Hamburg

Agenda of the event 9:30 Welcome 9:40 - 10:00 Overview of heavy rainfall: what has happened in recent months? 10:00 - 11:00 Municipal action plan for heavy rain prevention: content, goals and potentials Coffee break 11:15 - 12:00 Workshop: Perspectives for heavy rain prevention in the municipalities 12:15 Outlook and farewell Followed by lunch together

Join us for a webinar dedicated to exploring innovative approaches to the energy transition in Western Macedonia, the circular economy, and the development of essential skills. Through the collaboration of leading projects such as DECISO, SEED, and COALITION, this event offers a unique platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and networking with experts and institutions driving the just transition and sustainable development of the region. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with cutting-edge discussions and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.

The event will present the conclusions from the Info Day held on October 2, 2024, by DETEPA, focusing on its pilot project under the European program DECISO (DEvelopers of CIrcular SOlutions), funded by HORIZON EUROPE. Discussions will address the next steps and challenges in implementing circular economy practices in heat production units, with particular emphasis on the use of residual biomass.

4 factsheet to zoom in on DECISO’s local programmes for fostering circular economy

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is in full swing! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 7: Topic: REPURPOSE; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

DECISO attended the ECOMONDO 2024 for networking activities with stakeholders. Interviews were organise.

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is in full swing! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 6: Topic: REFURBISH & REMANUFACTURE; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Keep in mind the next dates: 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

**Go to the bottom of the page to find the supporting presentations and other documents from the event.** The DECISO annual conference 2024 will take place on 9 October in Brussels and online under the title "Cities and regions investing in circular solutions: from idea to practice". It is co-organised by the DECISO consortium and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) Coordination and Support Office, with the support of the Regione Lazio and Umbria offices. DECISO partners will be joined by representatives of CCRI-CSO and sister-projects, such as Horizon CCRI-PDA funded projects, Regional Innovation Valleys, and European Circular Innovation Valleys, to reflect on the financial viability and sustainability of circular economy investment projects. The annual conference will not only share experience from the DECISO pilots but also give the floor to international projects developing advisory and technical assistance services for circular economy projects to exchange on challenges and solutions to to support circular economy investments projects at local and regional scale. To participate, please register here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/DECISO-First-annual-conference On top of a opening dedicated to the DECISO project, two main sessions are composing the conference: - Circular Cities and Regions Talks: each of the DECISO pilot will be joined by experts on the same topic (creating financing schemes; circular agrifood business models; biomass valorization; water resilience) to compare challenges and solutions when implementing circular economy projects; - Project development assistance for the circular economy: sharing learning and planning ahead. Let’s build together a living community of cities, regions and local actors implementing circular systemic solution! Note that the workshop is taking place during the EU Week of Regions and Cities which means even more opportunities for you to network and learn, so although the event will be hybrid make sure you will attend in person in Brussels!

Read the project's second newsletter

DECISO publishes its first CCRI-CSO policy brief

Our second newsletter is here!

Review Workshop for pilot Program_MDHCA

INFO DAYS OF MDHA AND THE DECISO PROJECT

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is in full swing! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 5: Topic: REPAIR; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Keep in mind the next dates: 29.10., 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

Event to share knowledge related to the financial schemes for circular economy related to agrifood in Alentejo region

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is in full swing! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 4: Topic: RE-USE; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Keep in mind the next dates: 24.09., 29.10., 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is starting! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 3: Topic: REDUCE; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Keep in mind the next dates: 27.08., 24.09., 29.10., 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

09 October in Brussels

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is starting! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 2: Topic: RETHINK; speaker will be announced asap. The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Keep in mind the next dates: 30.07., 27.08., 24.09., 29.10., 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

Recording of the webinar is available

Here we go! The new "Hamburg Circular Talks" series is starting! Over the coming months, we will be focusing on the 9 R strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) at the Pop-Up Circular Hub in Jupiter. One by one, these will be presented by us and with the support of interesting guests. Circular Talks # 1: At the first event, we will focus on the Refuse strategy! Our guest: Thomas Sampl - chef and entrepreneur - will kick things off on 28 May at 4 pm with the topic of Refuse. Sampl is the founder and managing director of "Hobenköök". With his catering concept, he deliberately avoids intermediaries and supra-regional products. He reports on how to deal with this strategy in practice and utilise it profitably! Using a case study, he will talk about his experiences of what "Refuse" means from an entrepreneurial perspective. We are very much looking forward to welcoming a pioneering entrepreneur for a sustainable, circular Hamburg to our stage! The Circular Talks will take place every month on the last Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 pm. Come along to hear exciting perspectives and stories from Hamburg's future makers and make new contacts. Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there! Make a note of the next dates: 25.06., 30.07., 27.08., 24.09., 29.10., 26.11. - Topics and speakers will be announced as soon as possible. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/projects/popupcircularhub/

The Ministry of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace Sector) and HELEXPO, in collaboration with major national and regional institutional and business entities, organized the Balkan Energy Forum in Koila, Kozani from May 23 to May 25, 2024. The forum focused on addressing the most significant and current issues regarding the energy prospects of the broader Balkan region. Supported by the Municipality of Kozani, co-organized by the Kozani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and backed by the University of Western Macedonia and the Western Macedonia Bioeconomy and Environment Cluster, and under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Conference-Exhibition Event aimed to provide a platform for in-depth dialogue within the framework of the Fair Energy Transition Plan and the major investments to be made in Western Macedonia area. Prominent companies in the sector participated in the exhibition accompanying the two-day Forum, where distinguished speakers from the political, business, and academic fields of Greece and abroad shared their knowledge and experiences. The DECISO (Developers of Circular Economy) project was successfully promoted at the Balkan Energy Forum 2024, held from May 23 to May 25, 2024, at the Exhibition Center of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece. The event was a significant platform to showcase the project’s objectives and advancements. During the forum, brochures detailing the DECISO project were distributed, and a presentation was delivered at the booth of the University of Western Macedonia. This engagement aimed to highlight the importance of circular economy practices and foster collaboration with key stakeholders in the energy sector.

At 11.00 AM on 30 April 2024, the re-opening of the Pop-Up Circular Hub (PUCH) @ Jupiter (Mönckebergstraße 2-4, 20095 Hamburg) took place as an official WCEF2024 side event. Jupiter is a former department store, that has been transformed into the creative planet JUPITER – with art and culture, fashion and music, drinks and design – open to ALL seven days a week. From April to December 2024, the PUCH will be a hub for circular economy activities in Hamburg, offering workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions, advice, and a co-working space. After the re-opening of the PUCH the following three WCEF 2024 sessions were broadcasted: 1) Turning circular visions into actions, 2) Urban planning catalyses the implementation of circularity and 3) The circular economy we want for Europe 2024 – 2029. Each session was followed by a panel discussion with different experts of the previous session’s topic. Between the sessions, the circular economy community in Hamburg got the chance to strengthen the network and exchange ideas. The official opening of the PUCH ended with networking drinks and finger food.

For the second part of its webinar series, the InvestCEC project (another key initiative of the CCRI framework) has invited DECISO to provide insights on financial challenges that hinder the circular economy and strategies to overcome them. This webinar will set the stage by exploring the financial barriers within the circular economy and strategies to overcome them. Following this, participants will delve into DECISO’s four ongoing pilot projects, highlighting how each addresses financial challenges within their unique contexts. Webinar Details: Title: Breaking Down Financial Barriers in the Circular Economy Date: April 30, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CET Location: Virtual – via Teams link Detailed agenda here: https://investcec.eu/join-us-on-part-two-of-the-investcec-webinar-series-breaking-down-financial-barriers/ Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefFyVUwrsGRELkBqlYPIRhdYYf9TPk3lw8ouZA4JCfnbA24w/viewform Become a DECISO stakeholder: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/ca55dfe0-43ac-f114-7efb-48bfaad5106f

Review Financial Schemes

The former shopping mall, JUPITER, is now a building full of knowledge sharing, art & culture. All initiatives presented themselves at the Open Day for the general public. Also the Pop-Up Circular Hub presented CE activities and the broad CE network in Hamburg.

SWOT analysis in Western Macedonia

In this workshop, the compiled SWOT analysis of circular economy in Hamburg, was presented to the experts. The analysis was reviewed and weight was added to several factors.

Here are the DECISO pilots' factsheets and the first DECISO project newsletter

The event concerns the presentation of the DECISO (DEvelopers of CIrcular SOlutions) project financed by the HORIZON EUROPE program, through which the Municipal District Heating Company of Amyntaio S.A. (DETEPA S.A.) will develop a pilot project for the production of thermal energy exclusively from biomass residues. The challenges of the Circular Economy project in thermal production units will be presented, while a discussion will follow on the new data and the markets found in relation to the installation of a Circular Economy Park in Western Macedonia.

To inform stakeholders about the good practices that can be applied in the pilot project based on the defined objectives and the ambition of the program and to identify i) the available financial support at local, national and European level and ii) the legislative / regulatory framework necessary for the success of the program

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The workshop will aim to refine and prioritise strategic actions for advancing rainwater harvesting initiatives in the OOWV region. Based on insights gathered from stakeholders and experts, the workshop wants to identified key priorities and proposed recommendations to address challenges and capitalise on opportunities.

***Online-Event*** Join us for a two-hour exploration of sustainability and innovation in construction practices. What to expect? Presentation of 2 exemplary initiatives + discussion: 1) Green Deal Circular Construction presented by OVAM Flanders (Katrien Tratsaert and Elmar Willems): https://vlaanderen-circulair.be/en/circular-business/green-deal-on-circular-construction 2) HafenCity Ecolabel (Certificate for Sustainable Construction) presented by the HafenCity Hamburg GmBH (Jan Jungclaus): https://www.hafencity.com/en/urban-development/sustainability Discover how each Region is taking on the challenge of building differently and achieving remarkable results in promoting sustainability. When? Date: 28.11.2023 Time: 10:00 - 12:00 Channel: Microsoft Teams (Link below) Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain insights and to exchange about how circular construction is approached in different European Regions. We look forward to your participation, stay tuned for more updates!

In a relaxed after-work atmosphere, this event is focussing on the topic of financing and promoting circular business models and innovations. In informative presentations, we will analyse funding opportunities at EU, federal and state level. We will report on financing from a banking perspective and use interactive elements to analyse needs and challenges with current financing and funding models. The event is primarily aimed at start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. However, interested people from other types of organisation are of course also welcome! https://www.linkedin.com/events/finanzierungundf-rderungzirkul-7121589301833814016/comments/ Location: Jupiter Campus, 3. OG Jupiter Kaufhaus Please register here: https://forms.office.com/e/VtyY8WnLCQ

Circular Economy in the heart of our city. From November 20 to December 7, 2023, you will find information, events and contacts on a wide range of circular economy topics in the former Karstadt Sport (Jupiter) on Mönckebergstraße The exhibition, together with the parallel events, is a place for information about and networking between circular economy players in Hamburg. In the exhibition you will get an overview of what circular economy means and you can discover what is happening in Hamburg to establish a circular economy by means of examples, research approaches and projects. The exhibition also invites you to contribute your own ideas and questions! Some of the many challenges addressed in the exhibition: We live in a throwaway society and waste too many resources! How can we improve this economically and individually? Long transportation routes have a high CO2 footprint and pose increasingly higher risks for the economy and the environment. How and what can we produce locally? Products are (usually) designed in such a way that they end up as waste. Can we avoid this through circular design? Companies contribute significantly to environmental problems. How can circular economy strategies help them to operate more sustainably? Through various formats - from panel discussions and workshops to specialist presentations - the different approaches and issues will be addressed by experts and discussed with the participants. More information: https://www.fabcity.hamburg/de/fabcity/news/puch/

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is holding its 1st General Conference on 8 November 2023 in Brussels and online. Organised by the European Commission, this Conference will provide a forum for all interested circular economy stakeholders to come together to discuss and exchange on circular solutions at the local and regional scale. The Conference will be an occasion to get inspired by other EU cities and regions and exchange with relevant stakeholders. It will explore themes such as coupling circularity with climate and environmental challenges, financing the circular economy and engaging with stakeholders, as well as how the CCRI can support the circular economy in collaboration with CCRI Projects and Associated Partners. This event will provide a unique opportunity for policymakers, business leaders and circular economy experts from across Europe to: • Explore concrete ways of translating circular visions into reality in cities and regions; • Share relevant information for policy-makers implementing circular economy actions on local and regional scales; • Learn from experts’ insights on the benefits of a circular economy at the local/regional level.

Here are available the public deliverables and the brochure of the DECISO project

This workshop of the DECISO project will show how existing financial support has made it possible to develop projects to introduce circularity in companies. It will gather leaders, experts, DECISO partners and other stakeholders to explore together practical implementation of circular economy principles in various sectors. Participants will discover examples of financing schemes that have somehow allowed production/processing processes to become more circular, highlighting the advantages found as well as the difficulties. The examples presented will cover the crucial areas of: Energy, Rainwater, Agri-food, and Financing Plans During this event, participants will have the opportunity to: • Explore financing schemes at local and European level and discover how businesses are finding sustainable ways to fund their circular initiatives. • Engage in insightful discussions, present and exchange ideas with experts in circular economy. • Uncover cutting-edge solutions and strategies that can help the pilots embrace sustainability and circularity. This event will be webstreamed. Register now to follow online: https://www.ccdr-a.gov.pt/app/evento_insc/evento3.php Location for on-site participation: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento regional, IP - Av. Eng. Arantes e Oliveira, 193 - 7004-514 ÉVORA Portugal

24 October, Evora (PT) & Online

The aim of the webinar is to learn from good examples from North Sea regions with a special regard to the question how the lessons learnt from the funding projects could be mainstreamed after the end of the funding. It seems to be a challenge in many regions to establish a sustainable system of dealing with heavy rain events, secure a long-lasting financing and mainstream the topic in planning.

Online focus group for the energy utilization of agricultural biomass and other possible residual streams for the Amyntaio biomass district heating unit

This mutual learning workshop aimed to: - connect projects and people with focus on circular economy in Hamburg - inform about good practice and finance opportunities for circular economy ideas / projects - discuss about opportunities and barriers for circular economy in Hamburg

Following on from the interviews that have already been conducted, we would like to hold a joint workshop to deepen the exchange on existing initiatives and structures within ourregion and also look at the OOWV's service area. This will enable us to make recommendations for the development of suitable organizational and administrative structures in the field of rainwater management. We will be looking for technical expertise and the experience gained from the activities within your regions.

Online Technical Meeting on circular economy and in particular on the energetic valorisation of biomass residues and other waste streams. Target audience: national stakeholders

Exchange Workshop on the current topics within circular economy via the projects DECISO and KARMA.

The Digital Ecosystem is part of the overall exosystemic approach used within the DECISO project, which implies the stakeholders' engagement at different levels and different scales in the face2face, virtual and hybrid activities of the project, but also after the end of the project for exploiting the results and share experiences and the knowledge produced by the consortium. The DECISO Digital Ecosystem will facilitate organizing events and sharing content using a participatory approach, i.e., each partner can directly upload and manage content related to events. The Digital Ecosystem is directly accessible from the DECISO Digital Ecosystem section of the DECISO website and has been designed by CNR starting from the experience of the MARINA and BIOVOICES platforms.

High upfront investment costs are a recurring challenge for many circular economy initiatives. The two Horizon Europe projects Deciso and Hoop address this issue by providing project development assistance, including the development of financing solutions and business plans for local circular economy initiatives with the ultimate aim of leveraging further public and private investment. The Brussels event on 10 May 2023 will serve as a platform to exchange advice and share best practices on financing circular economy initiatives, as well as to foster cooperation between financiers and project developers.  From high-level keynotes to individual matchmaking opportunities between investors and project developers, this event has been developed with and for public authorities, private investors and innovative solution providers and project developers to answer pressing questions such as: - What funding opportunities exist for circular economy initiatives? - How can public authorities attract innovative solutions to solve their local challenges? - How can we engage private investors to bridge the huge public funding gap? With the aim of creating a diverse overview of pilots addressing different thematic areas and challenges faced by cities and regions, the afternoon session provides an opportunity for project developers to pitch their ideas. This will be followed by a matchmaking and networking session to bring projects and investors together – an opportunity for companies to get feedback and for investors to meet innovative players in the circular economy ecosystem.

Exhausted groundwater extraction rights, falling groundwater levels, new demands and competing uses are signs that water can become a limiting factor for the region's development. What can we do? The long-term security of water supply can only be guaranteed if water resources are managed sustainably. This includes, in particular, the supply of high-quality drinking water to citizens and the supply of service water to trade and industry. And with increasing droughts, the need for irrigation in agriculture is also increasing. But where and how to start? These are precisely the questions we want to explore at the event.