From policy to real change: the local implementation of the European Green Deal
The European Green Deal is often discussed in Brussels, but its real test lies in cities, schools, and communities across Europe.
What happens when policy goals meet local realities?
Twenty-four social experiments conducted in different European cities over the past three years answer this question.
Circular economy as an engine of innovation
One stream of this work focused on the circular economy, using Local Accelerator Hubs as practical engines of transition and innovation. Four hubs were created in Santo Tirso (Portugal), Val de Marne (France), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Cyprus. These hubs brought together businesses, citizens, researchers, and public authorities to test new ways of working, share knowledge, and support business innovation in the circular economy.
The results show that Local Accelerator Hubs are more than meeting spaces: they create a stimulating environment where people can connect, learn, brainstorm, and support each other, thus reducing the risk of failure. In Ljubljana in particular, the local experiment explored what a circular transition could look like for small and medium-sized enterprises in the textile and fashion sectors. This initiative shows what happens when circular ideas are not just tested but actively nurtured, demonstrating their wider potential for scaling innovation while staying grounded in local needs.
Six stories of success for a more sustainable future
How do we take what works in Ljubljana and make it part of the European Green Deal? If innovation grows best in local soil, scaling these seeds of change remains a challenge. Six stories of change illustrate the impact of local experiments, offering valuable insights and a window into different ways the Green Deal can become tangible at the local level:
Learn and share your experience: Join the webinars!
Interested in learning more about how to shape fair and sustainable futures?
This October, don’t miss the series of webinars hosted by sustainability experts:
- How can an intersectional approach inform the EU Green Deal?
2 October 2025, 10 AM CEST
- Experiments in inclusion for a just Green Deal
9 October 2025, 10am CEST
- Governing the European Green Deal: how local experiments can help
16 October 2025, 10am CEST
- The world in transition: rethinking societal challenges and the response of local experiments
23 October 2025, 10am CEST
- From local to global: Navigating Geographical Challenges in Grassroots Scaling
30 October 2025, 10am CET
Register today!
These initiatives are part of the SHARED GREEN DEAL (Social sciences & Humanities for Achieving a Responsible, Equitable and Desirable GREEN DEAL) project. This EU-funded initiative aims to drive progress in the six Green Deal priority areas: Clean Energy, Circular Economy, Efficient Renovations, Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Food, and Preserving Biodiversity. These social experiments follow the principles of transdisciplinary action research, incorporating practice-based knowledge and research from multiple disciplines.
The post From policy to real change: the local implementation of the European Green Deal appeared first on Energy Cities.
Fuente: ENERGY CITIES
Enlace a la noticia: From policy to real change: the local implementation of the European Green Deal
