Abstract

CIRCIS is an ambitious project designed to support the sustainability transition for SMEs by integrating circular economy principles into outsourced supply chains. UNEI, a social enterprise renowned for its efficient, sustainable, and socially responsible supply chain solutions, will coordinate a consortium aimed at piloting and validating innovative circular business models. The project focuses on redesigning key supply chain phases—from supplier management and warehousing to product customization, transportation, and customer support—to incorporate practices such as product life extension, recovery, and recycling.

The project is built upon a strong social foundation, as UNEI’s commitment to employing individuals with mental health issues and disabilities is central to the initiative. CIRCIS will develop a modular framework that enables SMEs to transition to circular models through small-scale piloting and demonstration, ensuring scalability and replicability across Europe. Key objectives include reducing waste, extending product lifecycles, and fostering sustainable and inclusive employment practices.

A structured, multi-stakeholder approach will drive the initiative. The consortium combines excellence in technology, logistics, materials innovation, and social impact assessment. Participating partners will leverage their expert knowledge to design a digital platform that integrates circular supply chain management with advanced monitoring tools for environmental and social performance. Implementation pilots in selected SMEs will provide real-world insights and validate the framework’s efficacy. Dissemination activities will ensure that best practices, learnings, and outcomes are widely shared across industry sectors and policy networks, thereby catalyzing the broader adoption of circular, inclusive supply chains.

Through a series of interconnected work packages, CIRCIS will:
• Develop a comprehensive approach to circular supply chain design.
• Implement pilot actions in SMEs, adapting processes to local conditions.
• Enhance the digital and logistics tools necessary for effective monitoring.
• Monitor and evaluate social impacts, particularly improvement in employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
• Disseminate findings and facilitate knowledge exchange across Europe.

CIRCIS represents a strategic fusion of circularity and social inclusion. By turning traditional supply chain practices into drivers for sustainability and empowerment, the project is set to create a measurable impact on both the economic and social dimensions of SME operations in Europe. This innovative approach will not only contribute to environmental resilience but also promote a more inclusive, equitable working environment, aligning with the call’s priorities of sustainable transition and circular economic models.