Submitted Abstract
The main objective of the project is to assess the challenges and opportunities of implementing Circular Economy (CE) policies at the regional level, and more particularly the role of firms and civil society actors in this process. The project aims at going beyond the mere technological aspects of resource and material flow management, by looking at the challenges for CE implementation in terms of the firms’ actual dispositions (organisational, strategic, financial), institutional barriers as well as the interactions between public authorities, firms and clients in this process. Applying a practice approach in two empirical case studies in Luxembourg and Sweden, the project will analyse how changing practices and routines contribute to the emergence of new institutions (norms, values, conventions). Also, it will use a wider understanding of the economy by not only looking at corporate firms and their intermediates, but also at community initiatives and social businesses contributing to CE based developments.