Circular Economy makerspace
The project "Circular Economy makerspace" (project No. #C024) aim ir to enhance maker spaces to circular business principles in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) during 27 month period. The goal is to create a partnership of the BSR makerspaces to cooperate in bringing eco-design and material reuse in focus. Also to boost the circular economy by developing a digital circular collaboration tool. At least 300 makers will be trained and involved in the production of more circular products and at least 6 circular business ideas will be piloted.

The main challenge in the BSR makerspaces, is the huge attitude and behavior gap. Makers have awareness of the need for green and sustainable development, but they are often characterized by high consumption of resources. To solve this challenge the makerspaces must act as an example and accumulate and provide recycled materials and a good waste balance. Additionally they need to provide equipment that makers can use to repair, reuse or recycle products or produce new products of eco-design. But only providing materials and equipment will not be enough to change the attitude of the makers. That is why it is essential to introduce a variety of design thinking tools, methods and programs for makers to engage them in the movement of eco-makers.

The main value of this project is that it will allow all the partners to tackle a common challenge. This means that instead of trying to resolve it on their own and trying to reinvent the wheel, partners will join forces to find common solutions and generate new ideas. It will be possible by exchanging experience, knowledge, approaches, and skills each partner possesses. This innovative approach will allow the number of makerspaces to increase. The approach will be tested not only in one but in all project partner countries. It means that it will be adapted to the needs of the particular country.
8 partners from the countries of the Baltic Sea region participate in the project. The leading partner of the project is the municipality of Valmiera region.

Project partners:
  • Latvia: Valmiera County council
  • Latvia: Foundation "Ventspils High Technology Park"
  • Latvia: Valmiera Development Agency
  • Lithuania: Kaunas Science and Technology Park
  • Lithuania: Lithuanian Innovation Centre
  • Norway: Creator Makerspace
  • Denmark: Maker
  • Germany: Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Budget:
  • Total funding – 1.7 million EUR
  • EU funding – 1.3 million EUR
Implementation period: 01.2023 - 03.2025.

The project is supported by the INTERREG Baltic Sea region program of the European Union. Additional information on the project website: https://www.interreg.lv/circularspaces