DECIDE Project Enters Second Phase: Advancing Circular Economy Innovation in the Danube Region

The project Digital Services for Circular Economy – A Toolbox for Regional Developers & SMEs (DECIDE) has completed its first year of implementation under the Interreg Danube Region Programme. As a recognised EUSDR Flagship Project 2024 DECIDE has laid the foundation for the transformation of the circular economy in the Danube region by developing innovative digital tools for Circular Economy Business Modelling and by establishing Best Practice Showcases.

With the project now entering its second half, the focus is shifting from development to implementation and dissemination. The next phases, running until mid-2026, will concentrate on finalising the DECIDE toolbox, validating its components, and strengthening awareness of of circular economy in the Danube Region.

Image 1: DECIDE project partners accompanied by policymakers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders on the DECIDE project conference held in Böblingen, on 10th March 2024. Copyright: Centre for Digitalisation Böblingen District – ZD.BB GmbH

DECIDE is committed to shaping the future of circular economy innovation in the Danube Region by leveraging digitalisation, knowledge transfer, and cross-sectoral collaboration to make sustainable business models both accessible and scalable.

Recognized as a EUSDR Flagship project in 2024, the project represents a strategic initiative contributing to systemic change in the region. Flagship projects are selected for their role in strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion while promoting sustainability and innovation.

Image 2 Danube Strategy Flagship Certificate, Copyright: ZD.BB GmbH

Dr. Claus Hoffmann, CEO of ZD.BB GmbH and DECIDE lead partner shared his thoughts on the award:

"The recognition underlines the strategic importance of the DECIDE project and highlights the important contribution that the project makes to the circular economy and sustainable development of the Danube Region."

The DECIDE project is also closely connected to two key EUSDR working groups – WG Digital Danube and WG Circular Economy and Bioeconomy – where DECIDE project partners actively contribute as coordinators.

Key Achievements in the First Year of Implementation

During its first year, DECIDE successfully completed several key tools and research activities. Transnational and cross-sectoral best practices were identified, documented and modelled using the tools and methods from the DECIDE toolbox, already available in the early project phase:

Maturity Report & Gap Analysis – an in-depth SWOT analysis identifying challenges, policy gaps, and opportunities for circular economy adoption in the Danube Region.
Circular Economy Business Modeller – focuses on developing circular economy business models systematically, addressing gaps in economic evaluation and integrated modelling methodologies.
Value Chain Generator – a cloud-based AI platform that helps industries identify circular business opportunities and build cross-sector collaborations, integrating a database of 3.5 million companies.
30 Business Model Canvases for Circular Economy Business Models – compiled from 10 countries in the areas of food, packaging, textiles, second-life batteries and smart cities to provide a deeper understanding of how circular economy principles are applied in practice, highlighting challenges, strategies, and outcomes.
30 Case Studies for Best Practice Circular Economy Business Models – documented by using a project developed 20-dimensional framework that examines reduction, reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing while mapping value chain impacts and scalability.
More than 20 Best Practice Showcases for CEBMs –real-world examples of circular economy models using standardized poster and presentation templates, which are scalable and adaptable across all sectors and can be downloaded from the DECIDE website.

The joint work of the partnership contributes significantly to the achievement of the project results and outputs.

Engaging the Region: Conferences and Knowledge Exchange

To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, DECIDE has strategically aligned conferences with partner meetings, maximising opportunities for engagement.

The events serve as important platforms for collaboration, providing an opportunity for project partners to align on key objectives and discuss the steps in developing circular economy tools and methodologies. The meetings are accompanied by conferences that highlight the importance of integrating digitalisation and circular economy practices.

Image 4: One of the workshops the DECIDE project partners participated in during the Novi Sad partner meeting. Copyright: TICM

Looking Ahead: Moving from Implementation to Dissemination

With the foundation set, DECIDE enters its second half with a clear roadmap for building on the project’s success. The focus will now be on:

Developing and integrating additional components into the toolbox
Validating the DECIDE Toolbox components through pilot activities
Documenting and analyzing the impact of pilot applications
Elaborating policy recommendations to address legal and economic barriers
Strengthening cross-border collaboration through Working Groups
Engaging businesses through targeted workshops and training sessions
Enhancing project visibility and driving engagement through continuous communication

Be Part of the Circular Economy Transition!

The DECIDE project supports the transition toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient future in the Danube Region. Whether you’re an SME, policymaker, or entrepreneur, you can benefit from our tools, knowledge, and partnerships developed by the project.

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