TRAN S FOR M ING CORK
Green Enterprise: Innovation for a Circular Economy Circular economy principles, which are based on waste reduction, reuse and recycling, have been flagged as part of Ireland’s new growth strategy and green recovery to support job creation, generate economic growth and improve the environment. What is circular economy? A circular economy aims to reduce waste at all stages of the economic cycle and ensure materials are used as efficiently as possible. It challenges consumers and businesses to move from the current linear economic model of Take-Make-Use-Dispose to a more efficient and low-carbon circular cycle. Waste prevention, as a central concept of the circular economy, challenges businesses to review existing design, production, distribution and consumption of products. Businesses are being urged by the EU to align with increasing consumer demand for less resource intensive products and services.
Why circular innovation? By rethinking business processes to ensure that they do not over-burden the environment or waste limited resources, there is the potential to find creative solutions for consumers and business. Furthermore, circular economy principles can be employed to transform business models, thereby improving competitiveness and new business opportunities for the growth and development of SMEs.
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These are key priorities nationally which require innovative thinking, and are also priorities of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan – part of the EU Green Deal – which aims to transform Europe’s economy towards a sustainable future and enable our commitment to be climate-neutral by 2050.
Funding to support circular economy The recently launched ‘Green Enterprise’ funding programme is a €600,000 fund, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now open for applications. The Fund aims to support innovators of sustainable products and services to develop and demonstrate consumer and business solutions that will stimulate the circular economy. This programme is an important driver of Ireland’s move to a more circular economy and aims to provide an opportunity for businesses to influence and inform government policy in this area, and to demonstrate a positive contribution to SDG targets. The thematic areas that are eligible are:
food, plastics, construction and demolition and resources & raw materials (electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and furniture).
Apply now! The maximum amount of funding available is €100,000 per grant award. Grant aid is provided on a shared cost contribution basis, from 25% up to 95% of the total eligible project costs incurred. For more information see: https:// www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/ research/epafunding/ greenenterprise/ Deadline for applications is 5pm, 14 August 2020
Further Business Supports The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) has hosted a number of international business-matching events for companies operating in the area of the circular economy. If you would like further information about the EEN events and business supports on this theme, contact Margaret Kelly (mkelly@corkchamber.ie).
