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

29.5.2026

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:

Contact:

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

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.

Key Words:

Circular EconomyClimateProjects

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