New training course to support I-US initiatives
What do meat, olives, textiles and beer have in common? The SYMSITES project shows that the wastewater generated in their production can be reused to create high-value products.
Aiming to improve the sustainability of these industries, SYMSITES spent the past four years piloting new technologies and solutions, based on the concept of Industrial-Urban Symbiosis, in its four so-called Ecosites in Austria, Greece, Spain and Denmark. Its main lessons and insights have been implemented into a training course that seeks to support relevant stakeholders in adopting sustainable practices.
Many SME’s, industries, and local and regional authorities lack the necessary knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic frameworks to implement I-US effectively. The training course is designed to address these gaps by equipping relevant stakeholders with the skills, methodologies, and tools required to drive successful I-US initiatives. The training consists of ten modules with the first two aimed at general audiences, and the last three at Industry and SME’s. The remaining 5 modules are aimed at local authorities and municipalities.
The first two modules highlight what I-US is (the exchange of resources between industries and urban areas for their mutual benefit) and place the concept within the broader framework and history of the circular economy. The modules further highlight how European policy and legislation support the implementation of I-US, what financing mechanisms exist to fund I-US projects, and best practices from around Europe with a special focus on the four Ecosites within SYMSITES.
The modules aimed at local and regional authorities make a case for the strategic importance of I-US, highlighting how it supports urban sustainability, economic growth and resource efficiency. The modules then proceed to discuss the role of local and regional authorities in facilitating I-US processes (e.g. for example through green public procurement), provide an overview of the regulatory opportunities and barriers, how to embed I-US in sustainability strategies and develop business models, and ways to monitor and evaluate the progress of I-US projects.
The final modules provide a practical roadmap for identifying, mapping and evaluating different sorts of waste streams (with a special focus on implementing wastewater reuse projects within the current regulatory framework) to unlock their potential within I-US processes. Understanding the types, composition, and availability of waste is a prerequisite for implementing effective I-US projects, reducing disposal costs, and creating new revenue streams. The training course ends with a module introducing the most relevant digital tools and data-driven approaches that support monitoring, optimization, and decision-making in I-US.
The full training course can be found here. Want to know more about SYMSITES work? Register for the final webinar! (21 May, 10-11 CEST)
