Circular Innovation City Challenge

We are looking for early prototype to market-ready innovative solutions, with the potential to help create circular and thriving cities. Your solution can be cross-sector or focus on specific areas such as plastics, food, construction, textile, or others. It can focus on direct material reductions or on business and consumer behaviour. The most important thing is that your solution is digital or data-driven at its core, and responds to one or more of the innovation areas.

The challenge is a global call to action for innovators and entrepreneurs, businesses, and organisations. We invite and encourage all types of innovators globally to apply and to help us find the an- swers to create better and more circular cities.

Read more about the individual challenge areas in the full challenge document.

By 2050 close to 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. Cities emit 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, and account for 50% of the global waste production. But we are determined to change that, because we love our cities - and our planet.

The transition to a circular economy is key in helping cities reach their climate targets, and a sustainable future in line with the Paris Agreement and the UN global goals. A transition that will help us build back better towards more green, resilient and inclusive cities in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Cities in which designing for circularity means providing new jobs and opportunities for all communities and citizens.

The radical changes needed will not come without better use of data and insights on the materials and products we use, new circular business models, and new ways of engaging all city communities. We believe that emerging technologies and digital solutions are key to accelerate this transition.

The challenge is based on the outcomes of the 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit workshop ‘Building a climate neutral circular city’, and the analysis and opportunities presented in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report ‘Completing the Picture’.

The cities of Toronto, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Copenhagen, and New Your City have teamed up looking for innovative solutions from around the world. Solutions to create a city where businesses and people work together to make the most of our resources. The challenge is a global call to action for innovators and entrepreneurs, businesses, and organisations. We invite and encourage all types of innovators globally to apply and to help us find the answers to create better and more circular cities.

If you have any questions on the challenge partnership, please contact Markus Bjerre, [email protected], Danish Business Authority.