Cross-border project to unlock sustainable and inclusive growth opportunities for local authorities
BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy is an innovative, cross-border project led by Essex County Council. The project aims to help local authorities initiate new policies, strategies and approaches to unlock sustainable and inclusive growth opportunities through the transition to a circular economy.
Launched in April 2020, the BLUEPRINT Project is an ERDF, Interreg-funded project, with a budget of €5.5m, and will conclude in March 2023. The project consists of 10 partners across the UK and France, including local authorities, universities, an environmental charity and a private business. All have contributed their professional expertise to ensure the project outputs are a success.
The main output of the BLUEPRINT Project is to develop the BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy Model (BLUEPRINT Model). The BLUEPRINT Model aims to support senior managers, decision-makers and officers, at local authorities across England and France, to implement the right policies, strategies and plans to move towards a circular economy. It pulls together learning and expertise from across the BLUEPRINT Project, building on the existing foundation of industry best practice, to make the transition to a more circular economy as easy as possible.
The BLUEPRINT Model focuses on four key areas: procurement, waste management, training and job opportunities, and changing behaviours. If your local authority is looking for ways to adapt and take advantage of new circular opportunities, has sustainability targets to meet or sustainable action plans linked to government guidance, the BLUEPRINT Model is a freely accessible resource to support you on your journey.