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Factsheet for measure BE-2018-1/2676 – measures in Belgium

Circular economy cheque

Chèque éco-circulaire

Country Belgium , applies regionally

    • – BE3 RÉGION WALLONNE
Time period Open ended, started on 01 January 2018
Context Green Transition, Restructuring Support Instruments
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Reorientation of business activities
– Change of production/Innovation
Author Dries Van Herreweghe (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) and Eurofound
Measure added 23 June 2022 (updated 02 November 2022)

Background information

The purpose of the circular economy check is to make enterprises accustomed to the idea that taking the environment into account within a company can form an opportunity.

It is considered to gradually become a strategic issue and, by committing to a circular economy approach, a company can improve its economic performance (e.g. reduce its costs, limit its dependence on raw materials, strengthen its brand image by differentiating itself in a sustainable way on the market) while taking into account its social and environmental impacts.

Content of measure

The objective is to make possible innovative projects relating to the principles of the circular economy that focus on a creative approach with the aim of bringing added value to the company.

The place of business has to be located in Wallonia.

The company is an SME, which means, a company that employs fewer than 250 people and has an annual turnover of fewer €50 million, or a balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.

The company's activity does not fall within a sector excluded on based on the de minimis reregulation, for example fishing, aquaculture, premium production of agricultural products).

Additionally, a prior assessment of the project has to be performed and a certified service provider has to be utilised as well.

The cheque will let businesses make use of services of a selection 18 specialised experts provided by the government for assistance with eco-design and the development of sustainable products and services, as well as the optimisation and improvement of industrial procedures and organisational processes. The Walloon Region finances the service up to 75% of the costs excluding VAT, limited to €45,000 over three years.

More specifically, the cheque aims to support the company in its reflection on:

  • Ecodesign and the development of sustainable products and services,
  • The exchange or pooling of materials in synergy with other companies,
  • The optimisation and improvement of industrial and organisational processes,
  • The evolution of its business model in a logic of functionality.

Use of measure

After the first year (2017) of the programme in total approximately 355 requests were made, 206 of which were approved, amounting up to €1.7 million.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Applies to all businesses Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
Local / regional government
Regional funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Unknown Unknown
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Unknown
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

Unknown

Views and reactions

Unknown

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2022), Circular economy cheque, measure BE-2018-1/2676 (measures in Belgium), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/BE-2018-1_2676.html

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