How can cities and regions embed the circular economy in a sustainable way, rather than getting bogged down in isolated measures? On 30 September 2026, representatives from cities, regions, state administrations, local authority associations and cultural organisations – from Vienna to Vorarlberg – discussed this question. Two presentations provided the basis for the discussion. Martina Lepschi gave a candid assessment of the situation in the Styrian Vulkanland region. Bastien Huber demonstrated how Team Kreislaufwirtschaft supports local authorities and regions from the initial vision right through to implementation.
Four years as a pilot region: what remains?
Martina Lepschi has been leading the model region for the bioeconomy and circular economy in the Styrian Vulkanland since 2022. In 2021, the region prevailed over 14 competitors and implemented eleven measures. These are spread across three areas: raw materials, energy and food. An overall environmental assessment and an initiative for sustainable living link these areas. The guiding principle for all projects is Vision 2040: the Vulkanland aims to become the most liveable region in Europe. The model region scheme ended on 30 June 2026. The Vulkanland region is continuing the successful initiatives through the LEADER programme: food and protein supply, soil, forests and sustainable lifestyles.
Key lessons we have learnt from this:
- Allow time for: Change often takes ten to fifteen years. Funding projects usually last only two to five years. It is therefore important to maintain a clear focus.
- Embedding the theme in the vision: The circular economy is becoming part of the overarching vision and is being embedded within it from an environmental, economic and human perspective.
- Engaging stakeholders and adopting a charter: A broad stakeholder process fosters a shared understanding. A charter sets out the shared objectives in a binding manner.
- Combining a programme of measures with political commitment: The programme of measures is being developed in parallel with the building of political support. Local council resolutions make its implementation binding.
- Working with established partners: Events on climate-resilient forests were poorly attended, despite being well established in the region. When organised in partnership with the Forestry Association and the Chamber of Agriculture, however, they were fully booked.
- Communicate regularly: The public is kept informed on a regular basis over many years, for example through presentations, press conferences and advertisements. Ideally, individual stakeholders will take up these issues and spread the word. This creates a positive snowball effect.
- Highlighting added value: Partners get involved if they stand to gain something themselves, such as visibility, excursions or start-up funding.
- Taking action: When people take the initiative themselves, new projects and work packages can be developed. The process is increasingly self-sustaining.
In addition, the region assessed just under 100 processes in terms of their environmental impact, using a standardised system boundary. This allows the results to be compared directly.
From vision to implementation: the Circular Economy Team
Bastien Huber presented the consultancy process developed by Team Kreislaufwirtschaft. It is based on ten local action areas within the circular economy. Each local authority or region selects the areas from this list that are relevant to its specific circumstances and designs its measures accordingly. These measures contribute towards objectives set by the region itself. These might include, for example, a better quality of life, a contribution to the regional labour market, lower costs or a secure supply.
There are five stages, from the initial phase through to implementation:
- Introduction: The local authority or region clarifies its role and remit. It sets out the objectives it is pursuing and what the process is intended to achieve.
- Understanding: Lectures, workshops and creative methods of knowledge transfer help to build a shared understanding of the circular economy and what it can mean at a local level.
- Analysis: A regional resource assessment and an environmental assessment reveal the current situation. Together with the target scenario, they highlight where the greatest opportunities for change lie.
- Development: In participatory, hands-on workshops, the local authority, civil society and businesses work together to develop strategies and measures. The result is an action plan.
- Implementation: The local authority or region implements the measures. In the 20 core regions, a consultancy budget supports this process.
All phases, methods and tools are available free of charge at teamkreislaufwirtschaft.at are available. Local authorities and regions can apply them themselves, and process facilitators can work with them. Simone Federsel presented the knowledge database, which can be filtered by areas of action and objectives. In addition, the Circular Economy Team is establishing a nationwide pool of subject matter experts. Training courses, workshops, webinars and networking events are open to all local authorities and regions.
Unresolved issues and challenges raised during the discussion
- Conflicting objectives regarding local tax: Local authorities are funded primarily through the local business tax levied on businesses established in their area. This creates a conflict of objectives with land-saving measures and circular location development. It is difficult to stick to objectives on paper once a specific application to set up a business is received. The panel suggested that this lever be analysed across Austria.
- Platforms: a balance between reach and regional focus: Regional exchange and raw materials markets often fail to reach enough users. Large platforms have the reach, but are far removed from regional material flows and stakeholders. It remains to be seen how the two can be brought together and who will organise the matching of secondary raw materials.
- Reusable items at events: Different regions have different circumstances. That is why it helps to set specific targets whilst leaving it up to the stakeholders to decide how they will achieve them. Depending on the region, suitable options might include a mobile dishwashing service, a professional washing solution provided by a socio-economic enterprise, or the local authority’s own infrastructure.
- Continuation: Long-term network projects are looking for partners to continue tried-and-tested initiatives, such as a farm tour or plastic workshops in primary schools.
- Resistance within the status quo: Established organisations and business models act as a brake on change. Some stakeholders therefore deliberately turn to individual pioneers.
- Missing areas: There is a lack of storage space for reuse, for example in the cultural sector. Vacant properties could be put to use here in a circular economy approach.
Outlook
The next Circular Cities & Regions Roundtable will take place on 16 December 2026, online from 10.45 am to 12.30 pm takes place. The topic is Circular procurement in the city and region, featuring insights from Vienna. Immediately beforehand, a webinar organised by the Circular Economy Team will provide the background knowledge. The roundtable is aimed at representatives of cities and regions. → Please send registration enquiries to valerie-sophie.schoenberg@circulareconomyforum.at
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