Circular initiatives in Overijssel: deepening broadening and scaling-up

Abstract

By 2050, the whole of the Netherlands, including the province of Overijssel, should be circular. Local circular initiatives can contribute to this. To do so, these need to be professionalized and scaled up. This research analyses the possibilities and barriers for specific niches in the contribution to this circular transition. By using various aspects of the Transition Theory, Transition Management and Strategic Niche Management, the internal and external influences on circular grassroots initiatives in were analysed. By conducting 11 interviews, and by including additional documents, 5 cases from Overijssel where researched. These in depth interviews provided insight on the specific strategies applied in the cases studied and which financial, technical, social and institutional barriers these face. The findings of the research suggest that, while Strategic Niche Management is correlated to professionalization, for broadening/diffusion a broad network and broad and social learning where the most important. The research also shows that projects, where products or materials are reused, experience more barriers than other type of projects. Key words: Circular Economy, Transition, Scaling-up. Broadening, SNM, TM