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4.2 Central Macedonia Region

The background

The Action Plan took into account:

-        the European policies for the promotion of circular economy (as they were incorporated in the White Book),

-        the national policies that are directly or indirectly related to circular economy,

-        the priorities / areas of high regional interest, as reflected in the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS3) of Central Macedonia,

-        the Priority Axis / Thematic Objectives, Investment Priorities and Specific Objectives of the Regional Operation Programme (ROP) of Central Macedonia for the period 2014-2020, which constitutes the main funding instrument,

[The above form the framework of the Region’s development policy and contribute to the identification and prioritization of sectors, branches and business activities of high regional interest, based on the special characteristics of the Region, in combination with the investment priorities of the NSRF 2014-2020.]

-        The analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the ROP 2014-2020, which led to the conclusion that there are currently no funding opportunities for circular economy actions,

-        the analysis of strengths and weaknesses of RIS3, which led to the need for further "specialization" and targeting towards circular economy,

-        the study of good practices applied to other countries within the consortium, giving input to exploring opportunities for exploiting and improving the specific funding tool (as for example the case for the industrial symbiosis database developed in Denmark),

-        the lack of mechanisms to promote the idea of circular economy in the Region and the need to create a networking and promotion structure,

-        the results of a survey (questionnaires) conducted during the preliminary stage of the action plan’s development, where the members of the LSG and additional SMEs were given the opportunity to express their views on circular economy status and prospects as well as on the possibilities offered for funding. This survey aimed at capturing the specific needs and desires of the potential beneficiaries (i.e. SMEs) and constituted an additional participation process / process of ‘co-creation’.


Actions

The central objective of the Action Plan is to influence the available policy tools towards circular economy, with special focus on the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) of Central Macedonia. This will be supported by actions that will increase the awareness of potential SMEs beneficiaries, in order to include the benficeries/SMEs in actions funded by the ROP. The overall goal is 80 SMEs in the Region to improve their resource efficiency through circular economy actions.

The Action Plan for the promotion of circular economy in the Region of Central Macedonia consists of three (3) main axes:

1. "Specialization" of the RIS3 Strategy

The Region of Central Macedonia seeks to influence the Strategy's specialization with actions in the field of circular economy. Indicative relevant actions are included in the Plan, concerning ‘champions’ and ‘horizontal support’ sectors, as identified in RIS3.

2. Incorporation of circular economy actions into the ROP of Central Macedonia 2014-2020

The Region will seek to incorporate actions in the ROP 2014-2020, through which the Region’s SMEs can be funded in order to move towards a more circular economy. "Circularity" is intended to be seen primarily as a key factor for improving competitiveness and secondarily as a factor for reducing the environmental impact of the SME.

The above objective, i.e. the influence of this particular policy tool, is proposed to take place in three dimensions:

A. Introduction of the "circular economy" criterion in the funding procedures stemming from the ROP 2014-2020. Focusing on Priority Axis 3 "Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises" favors this approach.

B. Development of a ‘structure’ to promote the idea and good practices in the field of circular economy (one-stop-shop).

C. Innovation coupons for SMEs (aiming to strengthen the Region's SMEs and the improvement of their production processes through the purchase of knowledge and expertise from innovation institutions).

3. Implicit incorporation of the issues of circular economy into the ROP of the next programming period (2021-2027) and its funding priorities.

 

Players involved

Axis

Action

Players involved

1. "Specialization" of the RIS3 Strategy

1.1. "Specialization" of the RIS3 Strategy

Region of Central Macedonia (RCM)

2. Incorporation of circular economy actions into the ROP of Central Macedonia 2014-2020

2.1. Introduction of the "circular economy" criterion in the funding procedures stemming from the ROP 2014-2020

RCM, Managing Authority RCM,

Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, Technical Chamber of Greece

2.2. Development of a ‘structure’ to promote the idea and good practices in the field of circular economy (one-stop-shop)

RCM

2.3. Innovation coupons for SMEs

RCM, Managing Authority of RCM, HEIs/TEIs and Research Institutes, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, Technical Chamber of Greece

3. Incorporation of the issues of circular economy into the ROP of the next programming period (2021-2027)

3.1. Incorporation of the issues of circular economy into the ROP of the next programming period (2021-2027)

RCM, Managing Authority of RCM, Ministry of Economy and Development

 

 

Timeframe

Indicative timeframe

Proposed actions

2018

2019

2020

2021

1.1. "Specialization" of the RIS3 Strategy

x

x

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1. Introduction of the "circular economy" criterion in the funding procedures stemming from the ROP 2014-2020

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

 

 

 

2.2. Development of a ‘structure’ to promote the idea and good practices in the field of circular economy (one-stop-shop)

 

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

2.3. Innovation coupons for SMEs

 

 

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

 

 

 

 

3.1. Incorporation of the issues of circular economy into the ROP of the next programming period (2021-2027)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

x

x

x

x

x