The CURIOST project, funded by the INTERREG Central Europe Programme, is helping SMEs and small mid-caps unlock their potential in sustainable product development. Focusing on four key sectors — mechanics and mechatronics, packaging, plastics, and construction — the project is shaping actionable policies to drive long-term impact.
Mapping regional strategies for a circular future
CURIOST has conducted a comprehensive analysis of Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) across participating regions and countries as part of its mission. This deep dive provides an integrated strategic framework, mapping relevant European and national regulations, policy documents, and S3 strategies. It highlights how well current policies align with circular economy principles and sustainable product development in Central Europe.
These insights, combined with a broader regulatory review, will feed into the upcoming CURIOST Action Plan—a roadmap designed to support policymakers and governance institutions in fostering sustainable solutions in manufacturing.
National and regional approaches to Circular Economy and Innovation
CURIOST partners have explored national and regional policies related to S3, Circular Economy, and Innovation, offering a transnational perspective on how different Central European countries are shaping their sustainability strategies and supporting SMEs in the transition to circular business models.
Austria
Austria has adopted ambitious policies to advance the circular economy, including the Austrian Circular Economy Strategy, Lower Austrian Economic Strategy 2025, and Vision for Upper Austria 2030. These initiatives aim for climate neutrality by 2050, with a strong focus on plastics, packaging, mechatronics, mechanics, and construction.
Austria is a global leader in plastics industry machinery and is introducing measures to reduce packaging waste, modernize sorting facilities, and implement a deposit system for plastic bottles by 2025. In electronics and mechatronics, the country promotes sustainable production and recycling, while the construction sector focuses on durable, energy-efficient buildings made with recycled materials. Regular progress reports ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
Slovakia
Slovakia’s shift toward a circular economy is guided by the Vision SK RIS3 2021 and its updated RIS3 strategy, emphasizing industrial innovation, mobility, digital transformation, and sustainability. The Bratislava Region is a key driver, prioritizing digital technologies, biotechnology, and green solutions.
Action plans focus on waste minimization, recycling, and resource efficiency, while the government promotes technological innovation in sectors like automotive and IT. Digitalization plays a central role, with Bratislava emerging as a national leader in smart solutions.
Croatia
Croatia’s revised Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) 2021-2027 fuels innovation-driven growth while tackling sustainability challenges. A key pillar, Energy and Sustainable Environment, has supported numerous projects in clean energy and environmental sustainability.
The strategy aligns with EU goals on plastic waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable packaging. Competitiveness clusters drive collaboration between research institutions and industry, fostering energy-efficient manufacturing. Meanwhile, the construction sector promotes green buildings and modular design, with an added focus on improved waste management after recent earthquakes.
Despite early governance challenges, Croatia’s refined S3 strategy is improving regional development, ensuring targeted support and better monitoring for a more sustainable future.
Italy
Italy’s Smart Specialization Strategy (S3), particularly in Piedmont, supports the circular economy and sustainable industrial development, aligning with EU policies like the Green Deal. The strategy focuses on advanced materials for batteries, bioeconomy, and green technologies, strengthening automotive, aerospace, and smart manufacturing sectors.
Key initiatives include reskilling programs, innovation clusters, and sustainable industrial practices. The plastics industry is shifting toward bioplastics, recycling, and green chemistry, while packaging innovations prioritize smart, sustainable materials. With a strong governance framework, Piedmont is emerging as a leader in industrial transformation and regional sustainability.
Germany
Germany’s National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS), drafted in 2024, sets ambitious targets to reduce raw material consumption and improve material circularity. Aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, it integrates circularity across product life cycles, strengthening industrial resilience.
In construction, new guidelines will enforce material reuse, promote recycled aggregates, and develop digital platforms for used materials. The plastics sector is advancing bio-based alternatives, improving recycling rates, and limiting material variety to streamline reuse.
Digitalization plays a key role through open-source tools and Digital Product Passports, with dedicated funding for SMEs. Bavaria’s Innovation Strategy (RIS3) emphasizes resource efficiency and circular economy in materials science, mechatronics, and Industry 4.0.
Poland
Poland’s Malopolska Region integrates circular economy principles into RIS 2030, S3, and its Circular Economy Strategy. While key CURIOST sectors—mechatronics, plastics, packaging, and construction—are not explicitly listed, overlaps exist in sustainable energy, chemistry, and metal production.
The Circular Economy Strategy promotes resource efficiency, decarbonization, and cross-sector cooperation. Meanwhile, RIS 2030 drives innovation, R&D investment, and industrial transformation. However, complex strategies and heavy reliance on EU funding present adoption challenges, particularly for SMEs. Despite this, Poland remains committed to sustainable product development and green economic transition.
Hungary
Hungary’s Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) aligns with EU circular economy goals, emphasizing sustainability in plastics, packaging, construction, and mechanics. The country is investing in biodegradable materials, recycling improvements, and eco-friendly packaging to reduce environmental impact.
The construction sector promotes energy-efficient buildings and sustainable urban planning, while the mechanical industries develop energy-saving machinery and optimized industrial processes. Strong stakeholder engagement, financial support mechanisms for SMEs, and monitoring frameworks strengthen implementation. However, bureaucratic delays and frequent institutional reorganizations create execution hurdles. While regional strategies are lacking, sector-specific policies continue driving sustainability-focused innovation.
Access the Full Report
For a more detailed breakdown, the full “Analysis of S3 regional strategies” deliverable is available here. This resource offers valuable insights into how regional policies can accelerate the green transition and help SMEs adopt sustainable innovations.