CROP-CIRCLE

From Callosa de Segura (Spain), a city with a long and rich history in the fiber industry, we are spearheading the creation of the URBACT CROP-CIRCLE network. The network's name is a play on words combining "crop" and "circle" (circular economy), reflecting our goal of addressing a common European challenge: overcoming regulatory barriers to replace plastics and synthetic materials with biomaterials derived from traditional crops. We aim to transform our local agricultural heritage into an engine of green reindustrialization, driving the circular bioeconomy and creating new, specialized jobs.

During the 30-month duration of this Action Network, the partner cities will collaborate to exchange best practices and design joint solutions to overcome bureaucracy and market challenges. Each city will form its own Local Action Group (ULG) to test and implement pilot projects on the ground, developing an Action Portfolio tailored to its specific context.

As a joint result, the network will co-create a European Actions Playbook to guide other cities in their transition to biomaterials innovation. We are building a consortium and seeking partner cities across Europe that share this challenge. Your crop doesn't have to be hemp; we are looking for municipalities that want to revitalize any traditional or abundant natural resource in their area (flax, wood, cork, esparto grass, agricultural waste, etc.) to modernize their local industry and reduce their carbon footprint. If your city wants to lead the way in replacing synthetic materials and commit to urban resilience, we invite you to join our network!