Highlights from the AER 40th Anniversary and CircSyst General Assembly

The event brought together policymakers, regional representatives, researchers, and project partners from across Europe for a dynamic programme that combined strategic discussions on Europe’s regional future with in-depth exchanges on the systemic circular transition. The gathering highlighted the importance of multilevel governance, knowledge sharing, and collective action to accelerate Europe’s shift towards a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive future.

The first day of the event, 17 June, was dedicated to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Assembly of European Regions (AER)—Europe’s largest independent network of regions. Under the motto “Driving Prosperity, Achieving Cohesion in European Regions”,  the event kicked off with welcoming remarks by Aleksander Saša Arsenovič, Mayor of Maribor and President of the Development Council Eastern Slovenia; Srečko Đurov, State Secretary for Regional Development of Slovenia; and Albert Castellanos, President of AER.

The day’s policy roundtable focused on how to boost Europe’s competitiveness through stronger cohesion and by emphasising the importance of interregional cooperation to address shared challenges. At the same time, concerns were raised about rural exclusion in digital and green transitions, highlighting the need for inclusive innovation that ensures no one is left behind. Notably, participants stressed the need to simplify bureaucracy, empower local actors, and involve municipalities and communities in the design and implementation of EU programmes, recognising that those closest to the ground are best positioned to tailor solutions to local realities.

Later sessions explored the drivers of technological innovation, with Polish regional success stories illustrating the power of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and investments in human capital. Innovation, participants agreed, is ultimately about people—those who can adapt, act swiftly, and lead change in uncertain times.

A key outcome of the event was the signing of a declaration on innovation, outlining three strategic goals: boosting regional stability and competitiveness through innovation, improving access to financing for innovative projects, and investing in the circular economy and digitalisation as pillars of future development.

Maribor’s selection as host also reflects its growing role in regional innovation. Nataša Ritonija, director of regional agency RRA Podravje – Maribor, chairs AER’s taskforce on the bio-circular economy. And the Podravje region has been recognized by the European Commission for its work on circular systems and is currently implementing the CircSyst project, promoting sustainable solutions.

On June 18, the 2nd General Assembly of the CircSyst project took place, where project partners and work package leaders reported on the activities carried out in the past period.

During the event, a representative of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) Coordination and Support Office (CCRI-CSO) delivered a targeted intervention outlining the tools, services, and collaborative opportunities available to CircSyst and other EU-funded projects operating under the CCRI umbrella.

The presentation highlighted the organisational structure of the CCRI support system, including:

• CCRI-CSO, serving as the main facilitator and coordinator of CCRI activities,

• CCRI Knowledge Hub (CCRI-KH),

• and the CCRI Community of Practice (CoP),
  which together support over 30 Horizon-funded projects advancing circular economy models across Europe.

The CCRI-CSO’s message was clear: collaboration and proactive engagement with the broader CCRI network not only amplifies the impact of individual projects like CircSyst but also strengthens the collective momentum toward a more circular and sustainable Europe.

During the General Assembly, the leaders of the demonstrator projects provided updates on the progress of the solutions being developed in the areas of water management, bio-waste, and packaging waste. Each demonstrator presented its current achievements, challenges, and next steps, offering valuable insights into the implementation of circular practices across different sectors.

• New water reuse national legislation has been analyze, focusing on its impact in the pilot’s replicability.

Gamze Sarigul, Project Manager of CircSyst at AIJU, provided an overview of the project’s development and the management activities carried out so far.

On the third day of the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in Maribor, a dedicated panel on the bioeconomy brought together leading regional experts and policymakers to explore the role of circular bio-based solutions in driving sustainable regional development.

The roundtable, moderated by Nuša Lazar, URBACT Lead Expert on Circular Economy, provided an open forum for discussion and exchange of best practices across European regions.

The panel featured distinguished speakers:

• Nataša Ritonija, representative of the AER Bioeconomy Working Group and CCRI Podravje (Slovenia), who highlighted local approaches and innovation pathways in the Podravje region.

• Patrick Mülhauser, from the Canton of Fribourg (Switzerland), who presented concrete policy measures supporting bioeconomy growth at the cantonal level.

• Dr. Joaquín Villaplana, representing CIRCSYST – Circular Systemic Solutions and AIJU (Spain), who shared insights from the project’s bioeconomy-focused demonstrators.

• Ellen Mulder, from the Province of Gelderland (Netherlands), showcased Dutch initiatives advancing biocircularity through public-private cooperation.

The discussion underscored the bioeconomy’s vital role in the green transition, highlighting the need for knowledge sharing, innovation ecosystems, and coordinated policy efforts across Europe.

The lead partner of the CircSyst project is AIJU from Spain. Its Director of Innovation, Joaquín Vilaplana, shared the following evaluation of the project after one year of implementation:

As the concluding highlight of the CircSyst General Assembly, participants took part in a guided study visit showcasing good practices in sustainable and bio-circular innovation across the Podravje region. The tour offered a first-hand look at how local actors are successfully translating circular economy principles into concrete, ground-level solutions, demonstrating the region’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and replicability.

The tour included two key stops:

• NIGRAD Demo Site & Additional Initiatives, featuring projects such as CINDERELA, LIFE IP RESTART, RE-BUILT, VIRIDI (ZAG), and InertWaste. These initiatives illustrated innovative approaches to construction and demolition waste management, urban circular infrastructure, and green public procurement.

• The second stop led participants to the Slovenian CircSyst Pilot Site in Ptuj, where they visited facilities managed by KP Ptuj and KIS. The site presented real-life applications of the CircSyst model, particularly in water management and bio-waste valorisation.

The site visits offered a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and inspiration, reinforcing the importance of regional demonstration as a driver for broader systemic change.

Slovenian CircSyst Pilot Site in Ptuj

The next meeting of the CircSyst consortium will take place in Finland in November 2025

Photos: Barbara Štuhec, RDAPM

Videos: Edina Tóth, Innoskart