Through the results described as follows, HOOP represents a step forward in the state-of-the-art which makes this project unique:
-First in its class PDA PROPOSED SCHEME, being customer-oriented, multidisciplinary and flexible.
-EXPERIENCED PARTNERS which will continue working together with the exploitation of the HUB as a service.
-KNOWLEDGE on C&R’s challenges and real needs and technologies.
-Provision of SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOLS.
-Legacy stakeholder engagement and citizen science tools for the development of CIRCULAR ATMOSPHERES.
In terms of impacts, the most important come as follows:
-HOOP mobilised 120+M€ of investments in UCBE in the LHs, with a leverage of x31.
-Non-financial leverage paving the way for future investments (see Booklet/HOOP Tales) in our C&R.
-Consolidation and future continuation of the HOOP Network of C&R.
-Creation of jobs in local economies: 76 direct jobs + 49 forecasted in the short-term.
-Provision of key feedback, orientation and resources for larger initiatives, such as the CCRI: half of the reported economic impact of the CCRI projects is due to HOOP.
-Valuable legacy in the form of know-how, methodologies and tools through the HOOP HUB and Zenodo HOOP Community.
-Proposal of new circular business models: Symbiotic systemic models, Creation of new value-chains, Re-purposing of existing value-chains, B2B.
-Policy: both at local (e.g. implementation of selective collection of biowaste) and EU level through feedback on policy updates and recommendations (e.g. ROOTS paper in Open Research Europe).
-Creation of new markets for bioproducts on different sectors: mainly agriculture, cosmetics and nutrition.
-Contribution to change the mindset of European territories, citizens and promoters towards innovation on UCBE.
The experience accumulated in HOOP has allowed to identify a number of recommendations for the true deployment of UCBE in Europe: i) count with experienced promoters, ii) support projects which are mature enough, iii) each place is different so there is the need to adapt to each particular place, regulation, iv) the financial perspective and stakeholder engagement are key and must be considered from the beginning, and v) the projects need to be technically and regulatory feasible to succeed.
As shown, what is clear is that our C&R, and those replicating our resources, are in a much better position for the deployment of UCBE projects and for the effective implementation of circular economy. They have now access to resources and evaluation methodologies and better knowledge of their urban and social metabolism with the latter being engaged and committed, are better connected with other frontrunner C&R and replicators which see them as a reference, sourced funds for the development of UCBE projects, improved their circular indicators, are now familiarised with public procurement of innovation as a tool to push innovation from the demand side and share technological risks.
Therefore, HOOP contributes to the society/environment/economy by paving the way for the efficient transition to circular bioeconomy in several LHs across Europe, thus contributing to the EU circular economy roadmap. Project continuation is ensured through the exploitation of the HUB and further initiatives and projects involving HOOP partners.
