CircularSud

Summary of the project

The initiative aims to promote responsible consumption and production systems in Southern Italy areas. In particular, in Puglia, Campania, Sicily and Sardinia, through initiatives of exchange between economic and social realities on the themes of the Circular Economy, in continuity with the mapping and sensitization activities carried out in the last year by the promoters of the Atlas of Circular Economy.
The preconditions on which the proposal builds on are two: the need to raise awareness in Southern Italy, over the opportunities of developing economic initiatives on the exploitation of discards and waste, building system actions able to strengthen the circular supply chains; the need to reach and train responsible consumers, merging the world of innovative start-ups and of the well-established economic realities working on circular economy with associations able to promote actions that combine social justice and environmental sustainability. Among the project activities, there are: the study and mapping of new realities to be included in the atlas; the organization of opportunities for exchange between economic realities and discussion with local institutions; the promotion of a campaign (I consume circular) that impacts on citizens lifestyle and consumption habits at regional and national level.

Beneficiaries

• 100 participants in the seminars
• 200 involved associates
• 5 associations
• 3.000 students
• 20.000 social contacts
• 200 journalists

Overall achievements

The set objectives were successfully pursued during the implementation of the project. About 60 good circular economy practices in South Italy were identified, inserted in the Italian Atlas of Circular Economy and thus disseminated to the national public. The exchange of experience among the selected realities contributed to the improvement of their competences and ability of self-promotion. The realities were promoted nationally also thanks to the 16 stories participating in the Competition Stories of Circular Economics. The awareness of South Italy citizens on the necessary transition towards sustainable lifestyles was improved through the enhancement of social realities’ competences on circular economy. The 63 beneficiaries, that is the entities, organizations, companies and institutions involved, received theoretical and practical tools to deploy effective actions on the necessary costume and production change to promote a just transition to a low-impact lifestyle.