Systemic Design and Policy Making: the case of Retrace project

The change of paradigm from linear to circular economic model is increasingly advocated. The benefits resulting from a Circular Economy (CE) are particularly appealing for Europe, considering the issues it is currently facing. Even though EU promotes activities to support the transition to CE, several economic, social and regulatory barriers hamper it. The full potential brought by CE can only be implemented once these barriers have been overcome. Given the current framework of the European context, the paper examines the case study of Retrace Interreg Europe project to argue that the methodology followed by the Systemic Design approach can support the transition towards Circular Economy, overcoming existing barriers. The focus of the discussion will be further narrowed on Piedmont Region (Italy) in order to better support the argument.