Spain Advances Circular Economy with Key Regional and National Initiatives in 2025

Spain is making significant strides in advancing circular economy practices through a series of impactful initiatives and events in 2025. These efforts span regional projects, educational programs, and collaborative national platforms, emphasizing sustainability, economic resilience, and public-private cooperation.

On November 17, the Grupo Inter-plataformas de Economía Circular (GIEC) will hold its Annual Conference in Madrid at the Agencia Estatal de Investigación. This event will convene representatives from technological platforms, public administrations, research centers, universities, and businesses to discuss the latest advancements and best practices in circular economy. Alongside presentations of collaborative projects and new interplatform work lines, the CDTI will provide insights on funding opportunities for circular economy projects, including support through the Horizon Europe program (Source ID: 134056).

Regionally, Tenerife's Insular Plan for Circular Economy has successfully engaged over 100 companies across the tourism sector over the last 15 months. The program delivered 100+ hours of training, developed eight practical sector-specific manuals, and created a guide for local entities to promote sustainable business practices. Vice President Lope Afonso highlighted the need for sustainable tourism management, citing tourism as the island's economic engine requiring responsible stewardship. The initiative awarded companies like Tenerife Dolphin and Iberostar Hotels for their innovative contributions while launching the 'Círculos para el futuro' awareness campaign. This plan aligns with the EU-funded Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan focused on enhancing Tenerife’s competitiveness and sustainability (Source ID: 134060).

Educationally, the University of Cádiz in Algeciras is hosting the 'Economía Circular en Acción' seminar, part of its XXVIII Autumn Courses. Sponsored by Acerinox and Arcgisa, the seminar offers 15 hours of in-person training and 10 hours online, targeting professionals, students, and public and private stakeholders in the Campo de Gibraltar region. It emphasizes practical applications, case studies, and public-private collaboration, with technical visits to industrial facilities underpinning real-world learning. The initiative promotes networking and knowledge transfer to tackle environmental and economic challenges with sustainability at the forefront (Source ID: 134058).

Together, these efforts highlight Spain’s growing momentum in circular economy advancement through cross-sector collaboration, education, and practical implementation. The upcoming GIEC conference and ongoing regional programs demonstrate an integrated approach to fostering sustainable industrial models and economic resilience grounded in circular principles.