A Systemic Approach for Regions Transitioning towards a Circular Economy
RETRACE addresses the EU challenge of transitioning towards a Circular Economy following the priorities set up by the “Flagship Initiative for a Resource-efficient Europe” for a shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable growth as enshrined in Europe 2020 strategy and the EC Communication “Towards a circular economy: A zero waste programme for Europe”. 

RETRACE partners deem that the adoption of more systemic approaches at territory/regional level can play a leverage effect in such transition. Specifically, the Systemic Design approach seeks to create complex industrial systems. It aims to implement sustainable productive systems in which material and energy flows are designed so that waste from one productive process becomes input to other processes, preventing waste from being released into the environment. 

RETRACE’s main goal is to promote the adoption of Systemic Design as a method allowing regional and local policies in their transitions towards a Circular Economy, focusing thus both on a territorial/regional policy perspective and on systemic approaches for a Circular Economy. To that end, RETRACE will achieve the following outputs and results: 
-	Development of 5 regional/national holistic diagnoses. 
-	Identification and exchange of 30 good practices in 5 target policy areas. 
-	Holding of 7 interregional exchange of experience activities with participation of 182 stakeholders and partners. 
-	Engagement of 5 regional/national stakeholders groups all along the exchange and strategic thinking process leading to the definition and implementation of 5 Action Plans.  
-	Outreach of politicians and policy-makers with specific activities and publication for increasing the ownership of process at target policies and RIS3 level.  
-	Issue of policy recommendations and road map for the adoption of method and good practices by other EU regions.