The ECoP is a tool for connecting the Hubs and the community of interest into a network for exchanging tools and knowledge across regions. The project will embrace possibly all existing H4C and circular systemic activities and strongly link with the activities of relevant European Partnerships, such as P4Planet.

The ECoP should:

• Gather, evaluate and synthesise state-of-the-art knowledge on circularity and industrial symbiosis and work out their benefits for climate neutrality and competitiveness in relation to their possible applications. This work should embrace the outcomes of all previously funded projects and be subject to constant updates;
• Characterise, classify and evaluate systematically symbiosis and circularity-related solutions with a constant update of symbiosis and circularity-related solutions;
• Draw up a list of specifications/criteria for best suited areas/regions taking into account lifting up or expanding existing hubs;
• Analyse in detail suitable regions/areas in the EU for H4C implementation. The regions/areas to consider should involve all alternative resource streams relevant for process industries as potential source of feedstock or as utilities, I-US scenarios and infrastructures that are already in place; scrutinise co-investment scenarios (combination of public and private means) to reach high Symbiosis Readiness Levels (SRL).
• Analyse proven involvement of regions and local communities;
• Identify high-potential regions/areas, for developing the first demonstrator of H4C by 2026. Such identification should be justified on the basis of objective criteria and should be open to further regions in the course of the project. Criteria should focus on process level, symbiosis process implementation, commitment level of the local authorities and communities, regional specificities (business/industrial policy and strategies), additional funding, potential private investors, etc. These hubs should become lighthouse examples of win-win cooperation between industry, SMEs, public authorities, educational institutions and civil society on circular economy beyond 2026;
• The H4C could be thematic at first (e.g. focus on valorisation of emissions or circular use of plastic waste, etc.) and evolve after a successful first demonstration into a broader concept, attracting other players from other industry sectors at local, regional, national or European level and enabling industrial symbiosis in new areas and processes; etc (p. 48-49 of the workprogramme).