New Horizon Europe “CIRCULANDIA” project promotes circular food systems, regenerative agriculture and reusable packaging

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CIRCULANDIA promotes circular food systems, regenerative agriculture and reusable packaging.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS AWARDED HORIZON EUROPE FUNDING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIRCULANDIA PROJECT ON CIRCULAR FOOD SYSTEMS WITH A TOTAL BUDGET OF € 9.6 MILLION.

(IN BRIEF) The EU-funded CIRCULANDIA project has secured €9.6 million through Horizon Europe to develop and scale circular food-system solutions across Europe between 2026 and 2030. Coordinated by CLIC Innovation, the initiative combines regenerative agriculture, local food production and distribution, and reusable packaging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and biodiversity, shorten supply chains, and cut packaging waste. CIRCULANDIA will test solutions in pilot cities, replicate them in additional municipalities and regions, and prepare wider uptake through multiplier regions. Planned actions include scaling remote carbon-sequestration monitoring, transitioning municipality-owned land toward regenerative farming, valorising underused biological resources, demonstrating urban farming models, and establishing reusable packaging ecosystems. The consortium brings together 35 organisations from 12 European countries, including cities, regional authorities, businesses, research institutions, industry groups and NGOs. The project supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) by developing practical, transferable models for more resilient, resource-efficient and climate-neutral food systems.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 10-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has awarded Horizon Europe funding to the implementation of the CIRCULANDIA project on circular food systems. With a total budget of € 9.6 million, CIRCULANDIA represents a significant step towards a more resilient, regenerative, and circular Europe. The project aims to build and scale circular urban and regional food solutions that combine regenerative agriculture, local food production and distribution, and reusable packaging solutions.

The overall aim of CIRCULANDIA is to break linear production–consumption–waste models and replace them with circular solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and ecosystems, shorten food supply chains, and decrease packaging waste. Over the coming years (2026-2030), CIRCULANDIA project will provide resources for long-term development towards circular transition.

Pilot actions and demonstration sites across Europe

“As the coordinator of CIRCULANDIA, I am very pleased to get to launch this ambitious European collaboration, which for uniquely brings together regenerative agriculture, local food systems, and reusable packaging into a truly integrated approach. Our goal is not to optimise individual solutions, but to transform the way the entire food ecosystems operate towards a genuinely circular and climate-neutral model”, states Head of Circular Economy Anna Tenhunen-Lunkka, from CLIC Innovation.

A key feature of CIRCULANDIA is its three-level replication model, where solutions are first demonstrated in pilot cities, then adapted and implemented by replicator cities, and further scaled through multiplier regions preparing for future uptake.

CIRCULANDIA will create transferable and scalable models that contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and support the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI).

The project consists of a wide range of actions. The remote monitoring system used to verify carbon sequestration will be scaled up and replicated, while municipality-owned fields will be guided towards regenerative farming practices. In addition, local underused biostreams will be sourced and valorised, and demonstrations of urban farming models will be launched. The project will also establish a full-scale demonstration of a local reusable packaging ecosystem and increase consumer engagement with reusable takeaway packaging.

Driving the transition together

The project brings together 35 organisations from 12 different countries across Europe, including cities, regions, businesses, industry, clusters, research organizations, and NGOs.

The project’s target groups include cities, regions, public authorities, SMEs, the Horeca sector, farmers, civil society organisations, research institutions, industry and technology providers, as well as financial institutions.

“Together with cities, regions, businesses, and research organisations, we are building practical solutions that can be scaled across Europe, delivering measurable reductions in emissions, resource use, and waste, while strengthening local resilience and biodiversity. While systemic change is inherently complex and challenging, we are not waiting for perfect conditions—we are taking action and driving the transition forward now, together”, underlines consortium coordinator, Head of Circular Economy Anna Tenhunen-Lunkka.

The consortium includes the following partners:  

The following multiplier cities and regions support wider uptake and future adoption:  

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101291131. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

 

Media contact:

Anna Tenhunen-Lunkka
anna.tenhunen-lunkka@clicinnovation.fi

FAQs

What is the CIRCULANDIA project?
 CIRCULANDIA is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative designed to develop, demonstrate and scale circular food-system solutions across Europe by combining regenerative agriculture, local food production and distribution, and reusable packaging.

How much funding has CIRCULANDIA received?
 The project has a total budget of €9.6 million, supported through the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

How long will the CIRCULANDIA project run?
 CIRCULANDIA is scheduled to operate from 2026 to 2030.

Who coordinates the CIRCULANDIA project?
 The project is coordinated by CLIC Innovation, with Anna Tenhunen-Lunkka, Head of Circular Economy at CLIC Innovation, serving as consortium coordinator.

What are the main objectives of CIRCULANDIA?
 The project aims to replace linear production-consumption-waste models with circular approaches that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and biodiversity, shorten food supply chains, reduce packaging waste and strengthen regional resilience.

What areas does the project focus on?
 CIRCULANDIA focuses particularly on regenerative farming, local and urban food systems, carbon sequestration monitoring, valorisation of underused biostreams, reusable packaging ecosystems and consumer participation in circular solutions.

How will CIRCULANDIA test and scale its solutions?
 The project uses a three-level replication model in which solutions are first demonstrated in pilot cities, then adapted by replicator cities and finally supported for broader adoption through multiplier cities and regions.

What practical activities will CIRCULANDIA undertake?
 Activities include expanding remote systems for monitoring carbon sequestration, introducing regenerative practices on municipality-owned farmland, using underutilised biological resources, demonstrating urban farming models and establishing full-scale reusable packaging systems.

How many organisations participate in CIRCULANDIA?
 The consortium brings together 35 organisations from 12 European countries, including cities, regional authorities, businesses, research institutions, industry organisations, clusters and NGOs.

Who are the main target groups of the project?
 Target groups include cities and regions, public authorities, SMEs, HoReCa businesses, farmers, civil society organisations, research institutions, industrial and technology providers, and financial institutions.

How does CIRCULANDIA support European sustainability policies?
 The project is intended to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and support the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) by developing transferable and scalable circular-economy models.

Which countries are represented in the project?
 Partners and multiplier regions come from countries including Finland, Germany, Spain, Norway, France, Belgium, Portugal, Croatia, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Latvia.

What role will reusable packaging play in CIRCULANDIA?
 The project will demonstrate a full-scale local reusable packaging ecosystem and work to increase consumer use of reusable takeaway packaging as part of efforts to reduce packaging waste.

What is the role of regenerative agriculture in the project?
 Regenerative agriculture is one of the project’s central pillars, with activities designed to improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, enhance biodiversity and support more resilient local food production.

Under which EU programme is CIRCULANDIA funded?
 CIRCULANDIA has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101291131.

SOURCE: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council

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