From waste to resource: boosting the circular economy with social impact

The project

More and more local initiatives are seeking to transform the way we produce, consume and manage waste. In this context, the circular economy aims to get rid of the "use and throw away" logic once and for all and to promote models that reduce the extraction of natural resources and extend the useful life of products. The social economy, on the other hand, focuses on people: it is companies and organisations that prioritise the social and environmental impact over economic profit.

The new grant programme launched in the Balearic Islands lies precisely at the intersection of these two approaches. It funds projects that promote reuse, composting, eco-design or transformation of waste, with particular focus on the impact of tourism. It also seeks to create employment, especially for people at risk of social exclusion, within sectors linked to the environment.

Planned actions include advanced recycling processes, selective collection services, repair workshops, and other activities aimed at closing the life cycle of products and materials. These initiatives aim not only to reduce waste, but also to demonstrate that another kind of economy—more local, inclusive and regenerative—is possible.

Experience from previous calls suggests that there is a growing ecosystem of organisations willing to work in this direction. The challenge now is to provide continuity and scale, and to foster a culture that sees waste not as an isolated problem, but as an opportunity for innovation, employment and real sustainability.