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News 04 December 2025

Interreg gains a stronger voice in Europe’s circular transition

The Interreg community has secured a new opportunity to highlight its contribution to Europe’s circular transition. Cooperation programmes across the EU have long supported practical solutions that reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote more resource-efficient models in regions and cities. This work will now have greater visibility at the European level.
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Author
Rosa Escamilla
Communication Manager, Interact Programme

To support this ambition, Interact has been selected as a member of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) Coordination Group for the 2025–2028 period. Through this role, Interact will represent all Interreg programmes within the Coordination Group, acting on behalf of the Policy Networks for a Greener and Smarter Europe.

Interreg's contribution to the circular economy

Across the Interreg community, cooperation programmes and their partners are actively advancing circular practices. This collective effort can be seen in:

▪️ 37 Interreg programmes making (the transition towards) circular economy a priority, representing 532 million € of EU investment
▪️ Over 200 projects piloting greener solutions in different territories
▪️ More than 1,200 organisations cooperating across borders — including public authorities, SMEs, universities and community groups - contributing knowledge, innovation and practical expertise

These figures reflect the scale and diversity of Interreg’s engagement in Europe’s circular transition and highlight the unique added value of territorial cooperation.

What this membership means

By becoming part of the ECESP Coordination Group, Interact will bring the achievements, ambitions and perspectives of Interreg programmes into key discussions on Europe’s circular economy. This role ensures that cooperation-driven solutions are represented within an influential EU platform shaping policy direction and stakeholder engagement.

Opportunities for programmes and projects to contribute to ECESP activities will be shared with the Interreg community in the coming months.

Moving forward

Through this new role, Interreg strengthens its capacity to demonstrate how cooperation accelerates Europe’s shift towards a circular and sustainable future.