12.1 Introduction
This chapter is about the mapping exercise aiming at assisting the Greek authorities
in using its Smart Specialisation Strategy (SSS), thus facilitating and accelerating the
transition of the country to the circular economy (CE). It describes the process of a
pilot, supported by the EIT Climate-KIC, which can be used as a model by other
member states wishing to couple their own SSS and CE strategies. The methodology
followed consisted of desk research, interviews and a stakeholder consultation
workshop conducted in September 2019 at the Ministry of Energy and Environment.
The project investigated the possibility to obtain synergies from the coordination
of two top priority European Union (EU) policies, namely, SSS as a major tool of
regional development policy and the transition to the CE as a main concern of
environment policy.
The Circular Economy Strategy For a long time, environmental policy in Greece
was (unsuccessfully) focusing almost exclusively on waste management with few
exceptions; CE projects were fragmented, often considered identical to material
recycling. Following the EU legislation and the Communication of the Action
Plan for the CE, the Ministry of Environment and Energy adopted the National
Circular Economy Strategy. Suggesting a methodology for refining and
implementing the 2019 Strategy was the goal of the project described in this chapter.
The Smart Specialisation Strategy The adoption of a SSSs was an ex ante conditionality for the first time in the 2014–2020 programming period. Designing such a
strategy created some unrest and a concern that focusing on few areas for thematic
objectives 1 and 2 might discourage investments in the non-prioritised sectors of the
economy. In addition, the timing did not allow for a systematic coordination between
SSS and Operational Programmes (O.P.s). Due to the severe economic crisis, the
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) were the main source of development funding. Nationally funded investments shrank to a minimum because of the
need to generate budget surpluses.
The combination of two totally distinct strategies and policies both in terms of
timing and primary target poses significant challenges in terms of methodology,
prioritisation and project coordination.
The rest of the chapter is structured as follows: In Sect. 12.2, we look at the
external influences that have pushed the country towards the CE, their influence and
potential incentives. In Sect. 12.3, we discuss the Greek context in more detail,
looking at the indicators characterising the relative position of Greece in the adoption
of the CE, as well as the design and implementation of the SSS. We then, in Sect.
12.6, describe the methodology used to assess common elements of the two strategies in the past. This methodology can prove invaluable if used ex ante in the next
programming period rather than ex post. In conclusion, summarising the lessons
learned and venturing some recommendations are included in Sect. 12.8.
200
L. Tsipouri et al.
This chapter is about the mapping exercise aiming at assisting the Greek authorities
in using its Smart Specialisation Strategy (SSS), thus facilitating and accelerating the
transition of the country to the circular economy (CE). It describes the process of a
pilot, supported by the EIT Climate-KIC, which can be used as a model by other
member states wishing to couple their own SSS and CE strategies. The methodology
followed consisted of desk research, interviews and a stakeholder consultation
workshop conducted in September 2019 at the Ministry of Energy and Environment.
The project investigated the possibility to obtain synergies from the coordination
of two top priority European Union (EU) policies, namely, SSS as a major tool of
regional development policy and the transition to the CE as a main concern of
environment policy.
The Circular Economy Strategy For a long time, environmental policy in Greece
was (unsuccessfully) focusing almost exclusively on waste management with few
exceptions; CE projects were fragmented, often considered identical to material
recycling. Following the EU legislation and the Communication of the Action
Plan for the CE, the Ministry of Environment and Energy adopted the National
Circular Economy Strategy. Suggesting a methodology for refining and
implementing the 2019 Strategy was the goal of the project described in this chapter.
The Smart Specialisation Strategy The adoption of a SSSs was an ex ante conditionality for the first time in the 2014–2020 programming period. Designing such a
strategy created some unrest and a concern that focusing on few areas for thematic
objectives 1 and 2 might discourage investments in the non-prioritised sectors of the
economy. In addition, the timing did not allow for a systematic coordination between
SSS and Operational Programmes (O.P.s). Due to the severe economic crisis, the
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) were the main source of development funding. Nationally funded investments shrank to a minimum because of the
need to generate budget surpluses.
The combination of two totally distinct strategies and policies both in terms of
timing and primary target poses significant challenges in terms of methodology,
prioritisation and project coordination.
The rest of the chapter is structured as follows: In Sect. 12.2, we look at the
external influences that have pushed the country towards the CE, their influence and
potential incentives. In Sect. 12.3, we discuss the Greek context in more detail,
looking at the indicators characterising the relative position of Greece in the adoption
of the CE, as well as the design and implementation of the SSS. We then, in Sect.
12.6, describe the methodology used to assess common elements of the two strategies in the past. This methodology can prove invaluable if used ex ante in the next
programming period rather than ex post. In conclusion, summarising the lessons
learned and venturing some recommendations are included in Sect. 12.8.
200
L. Tsipouri et al.