REgional project development aSsistance fOr the Uptake of an aRagonese Circular Economy

The Region of Aragon together with local and European partners aims to support the uptake of the Aragonese Circular Economy (CE), through a new project development assistance service, that aims at accelerating the private funding of CE projects in the region: The RESOURCE project (REgional project development aSsistance fOr the Uptake of an aRagonese Circular Economy).

RESOURCE gathers partners all along the value chain. G.A.C Group, (impact maximisation) is the project coordinator.

CEEIARAGON the regional a reference centre of Aragon for the development and consolidation of technology-based business projects, will support GAC in co-coordinating the Project.

Project partners involve the Government of Aragon (policy alignment), ANCES (links to private funders), AITIIP (technical support to projects), European Business Network, to liaise with a large array of European region and the CCRI, and University of Leiden, for expertise on circularity assessment.

The overall implication is that implementing a change from a linear to a circular business model involves significant risks, which necessitates de-risking, in combination with a learning environment. Providing some financial support is essential.

Investors and lenders need to learn about and assess better if financing such business investments in circular transitions will pay off, so that they ultimately can take over the role of providing risk capital.

RESOURCE aims therefore at co-creating a Project Development Assistance (PDA) solution which reinforces Circular Economy projects, supports innovative business models and investment schemes, to help them raise funds from the private market in Aragon. In this project 9 pilot projects will seek funds for an investment of 20M€.

The approach developed in the project aims at feeding from European best practices and replicated in other regions. RESOURCE is focussing on the Aragon region and will last 36 months.