81286103-Structuring knowledge partnerships for the circular economy

Following a holistic approach, ProUSAR in Colombia focuses on strengthening and spurring the innovative power of the private sector during their ongoing transition from a linear waste management to a resource- and climate-friendly circular economy, whilst implementing exemplary measures along three preselected value chains. To further strengthen content-related focus of the national recycling strategy and the supportive framework conditions for enterprises to implement recycling-oriented economic processes, the project contributes to the overall improvement and coherence of waste management and resource efficiency in Colombia. The ProUSAR project objective is to strengthen the innovation potential of the private sector for the implementation of a resource- and climate-friendly circular economy. Implementing partners are the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, MinAmbiente) and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, MinComercio). The project runs from 10/2021 until 06/2025. The target group (intermediaries) of the project includes specialists and managers (approx. 150) from enterprises relevant for the three pre-selected economic sectors which are Textile, Home Appliances as well as Wrapping and Packaging (focusing on plastic). The intermediaries should be involved in the initiation and implementation of measures with high resource efficiency potential, as well as specialists and managers (approx. 50) from the national business association (Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia, ANDI) and other chambers of commerce, which are generally organized on a sectoral basis. Intermediaries from the public sector are mainly professionals and managers (about 30-40) from those ministries and agencies involved in the implementation of the circular economy strategy. These include, in particular, the Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development MinAmbiente and Min-Comercio, as well as other relevant ministries (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation). The project has three output areas: Output 1: The coordination of goals, instruments, and procedures for implementing a circular economy orientation in selected sectors of the private sector is improved. Output 2: Companies from selected sectors have initiated the implementation of innovative and bankable concepts for a resource- and climate-friendly circular economy. Output 3: Knowledge about sustainable production and consumption patterns in the context of the circular economy has been strengthened.