Tips for makers and maker spaces to access resources for circular productions
Explore the vibrant world of makers dedicated to circular production.
Circular productions are an approach to manufacturing and production. In general, they emphasize the reuse and recycling of materials, rather than relying on new resources. The European Union provides subsidies for circular production projects to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce waste and there is plenty of information available about the European sources of funding and business support for circular-making endeavors.
The European Union’s Horizon 2020 Pop-Machina project has helped the maker teams in their Accelerator Program to get more help and information on this matter. The Pop-Machina Circular Maker Accelerator aimed to offer makers the knowledge and skills required to scale-up their projects into viable business models following circular principles, which can remain sustainable and competitive in the current and future markets.
This blogpost compiles knowledge into a shortlist with main links on where to obtain information about strategies for securing funding for circularly making things. It gives details on where to find financial resources and support for circular-making projects. The goal is to provide directions on how to obtain funding to create things together in communities, especially in the EU.
Links to funding resources can be found on the Pop-Machina webpage here or for convenience, further information is available below.
Here are some (not extensive) links:
- EU European Council and Council of the European Union Policies
- European Cluster Collaboration Platform
- European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)’s Knowledge Centre
- SMART specialization by regions
- Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) Europe
- CCRI Europe Methodology
- Circular Cities Actions Framework
- CircularInvest
- CCRI Newsletter archive
And more:
Subsidies for circular production projects:
- European Innovation Council (EIC)
- LIFE
- Bio Circular Joint Undertaking
- Cohesion Fund
- The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
Other sources and benchmarks:
Examples of circular accelerator programs are provided below. However, it is important to note that some of these programs may quickly become outdated:
- Go Circular
- Green Alley Award
- Tech Tour South East
- Infoshare
- ChangeNOW Summit
- GreenTech Festival
- Impact’23
- Impact Start-up Fest
- Impact Fest pitch competition
- Nordic Circular Summit
- Sustainable Brands Conference
- Digicirc
- Circular Valley
- Circular-Accelerator
Moreover, we invite you to check out the curated content by the Distributed Design Platform, which also provides resources to support circular maker practices. The Platform spearheaded by Fab Lab Barcelona at IAAC, stands as a pioneering initiative that not only fosters innovative design but also champions maker practices. By embracing the principles of circular design, the platform advocates for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the repurposing of materials, thus paving the way for a more sustainable future. Through its diverse array of projects and initiatives, the Distributed Design Platform embodies a paradigm shift toward more environmentally conscious and socially responsible design practices, driving positive change on both local and global scales. Read more about the available resources here.
Do you want to go further?
If you’re someone who likes making things in a way that’s good for the environment, whether you’re an entrepreneur, expert, or just interested, you can find helpful guidance and information on circular production across our Fab Lab Barcelona channels. Let’s work together to make financing the circular economy easier!