Navarra, in northern Spain, has emerged as one of Europe’s frontrunners in the shift towards a circular economy, coupling sustainability with a deep commitment to its people and territory.
S4: embedding sustainability at the core of strategy
The region began working systematically on circularity as early as 2007, taking part in European, national and regional projects. In 2021, Navarra reshaped its smart specialisation strategy, embedding sustainability as a defining goal across all areas of policy. Known as S4, this agenda positions Navarra as a benchmark for sustainable growth in Europe, aligned with EU priorities such as Horizon Europe, the Green Deal, the Digital Agenda, and Next Generation EU. It builds on Navarra’s own strengths in key transition sectors including mobility, energy and food.
Circularity runs through the S4 strategy as a cross-cutting theme, guiding how processes, products and services evolve. To give this direction practical force, the regional government launched the Agenda for the Development of the Circular Economy in Navarra 2030 (ECNA 2030), setting out objectives, lines of work and an action plan with concrete measures.
ECNA 2030 focuses on three areas:
- building a culture of circularity;
- advancing sustainable resources, design and production;
- and transforming transport, consumption and waste management.
It also targets strategic sectors such as automotive and mechatronics, the food chain, and renewable energy.
Navarra Zirkular: leading the change
In parallel, the Navarra Zirkular initiative was established in 2021 as a public-private platform to accelerate uptake of circular practices in business. By February 2025, it had attracted 215 companies and 60 collaborators across a broad range of industries – from major corporations to SMEs – supported by partners including the Government of Navarra, the regional Chamber of Commerce, technology centres and universities. Navarra Zirkular provides advisory services, diagnostics, collaborative projects and access to specialised studies on value chains and best practices, helping companies cut waste, reduce emissions and make smarter use of resources.
Circularity in law, skills and research
The region has also embedded circularity into legislation: Navarra’s new industry law includes a dedicated chapter on supporting the circular transition within companies. Meanwhile, investment in skills and knowledge is being driven by the Chair for Transfer and Innovation in Circular Economy, a joint initiative of the Public University of Navarra (UPNA) and the public company Orekan. It aims both to generate new research in circular economy and to promote training, dissemination and awareness across academia and society.
European Circular Innovation Valley: scaling the impact
At European scale, Navarra is a key partner in the European Circular Innovation Valley (ECIV), which seeks to create the continent’s largest innovation ecosystem for circular economy solutions. Backed by a €27.2 million budget – €6.43 million of which is channelled to Navarra – ECIV is designed to accelerate the transition towards a truly circular model of growth while fostering cross-border collaboration.
Taken together, these initiatives show Navarra’s determination to build an economy rooted in innovation, competitiveness and sustainability. The region is not only pursuing its own transition, but also positioning itself as a driver of circular change across Europe.
The article was prepared by ECIV's lead partner Government of Navarra.
