Rationale and Contextualisation

Fryslân Bouwt Circulair (FBC) stands as Circular Friesland's most impactful programme to date, aiming to establish circular and biobased production as the norm in the region’s construction sector. Nationally and globally, construction is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and biodiversity loss. By targeting this high-impact sector, FBC seeks to shift construction from a major polluter to a circular exemplar.

The programme aligns with pressing social needs, namely the rising demand for housing. The Netherlands has set an ambitious goal of constructing around 100,000 homes per year, with a target of 900,000 by 2030 through the Housing Deals. Friesland itself is expected to contribute 17,720 new homes by 2030. This construction boom presents both a challenge and an opportunity: by embedding circular principles into these projects, Friesland can redefine construction and create what is locally termed 'It Nije Normaal'—a new standard for circular building.

History and Reason for Creation

FBC was initiated to address key barriers facing the growth of circular construction in Friesland, specifically, unfavourable market conditions, operational and social barriers, lack of political support, knowledge gaps, insufficient collaboration, regulatory obstacles, and a fragmented language among stakeholders. 

Given construction’s significance in Friesland—both as an economic driver and an environmental concern—FBC sought to create new opportunities by aligning supply and demand with the right regulatory, educational, and governance frameworks. A key initiative within the programme was the establishment of a network of municipal councilors, who serve as ambassadors for the transition on the demand side of the construction sector.

Aim, Structure, and Governance

The overarching mission of the FBC program is: “To accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Friesland by providing integral support to the construction sector in this transition.” Key goals include: to ensure that all new houses built (targets of 17,1720) incorporate circular principles, to increase circular procurement by Frisian authorities (to 10% by 2020, 25% by 2025, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2035), and to position Friesland as one of the most circular regions in Europe by 2025 (aiming for a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions, 50% fewer primary raw materials used, and 50% less nitrogen emissions by 2050).

The success of the program hinges on several objectives that stretch across seven work packages and target different stakeholders and areas. The first focuses on establishing a common language for circular construction through 'It Nije Normaal' a framework developed collaboratively with industry players to provide clarity and support procurement processes. It also fosters a unified Frisian design approach, bringing architects together to standardise circular design principles. 

The Frisian Design Approach is a prime example of the programme's strengths, serving as a collaborative initiative that unites architects and construction professionals to develop circular and biobased building standards. The initiative brings together a group of professionals that would otherwise be competing to come together as collaborators and together, they develop a shared language for circular design while drawing on their own industry expertise.

The second package drives circular procurement by guiding municipalities through over 40 projects and five impact initiatives, ensuring demand-side adoption. On the supply side, the third package strengthens circular and biobased supply chains by developing new material streams, reuse networks, and innovation projects. Education is central to work package four, embedding circular principles into vocational and higher education while fostering collaboration between businesses and institutions. The fifth package ensures alignment between regional circular ambitions and national and EU policies, advocating for supportive regulations and overcoming legislative barriers. Finally, the sixth and seventh packages provide the communication, networking, and knowledge-sharing backbone that reinforces the program’s overall objectives.

The program is not solely focused on the intended outcomes, or targets, but the process is central to what is given value to. The how to achieve the programs ambitions centres around learning from each other, realising cooperation, promoting best practices, and through a ‘learning by doing’ approach, which aims to ensure that as many planned renovation, demolition, and construction projects as possible ae carried out using circular principles to build experience, know-how, and processes.

The entire program (in line with the Frisian approach) revolves around collaboration. Construction inherently involves a wide range of stakeholders, making collaboration essential, with key stakeholders including various actors along the construction value chains: ranging from local communities (mienskip), construction companies, material suppliers, and architects, to government bodies, municipalities, provincial authorities, and even national regulators, to financiers, knowledge institutions, and education bodies. This is a unique strength of FBC with its ability to bring together competitors and transform them into collaborators working towards a common goal. The programme acts as an ambassador, facilitator, and organiser, ensuring that agreements made at the regional level also align with national and European frameworks.

Regional Significance and Uniqueness

Friesland has positioned itself as a European leader in circularity, particularly in water technology and biobased materials. FBC builds on this foundation by making circular construction a key driver of regional innovation and economic development. By 2050, the ambition is that all buildings in Friesland will be circularly constructed, firmly establishing The Frisian Way as a recognised approach to circular building.

Beyond the construction sector, FBC’s innovations in circular materials and processes contribute to broader regional transitions in water technology, agricultural sustainability, and the energy sector.

Outcomes and Impact

A key example of FBC’s impact is its contribution to circular concrete projects, such as the Sloten Betonketen (Heechterp) initiative, which integrates recycled materials into construction. Other notable achievements include: ensuring 20% of participating projects focus on new circular housing, the success of the Fibre Hemp Deal, committing to insulating a minimum number of homes using Frisian hemp-based materials, and establishing the VCF website as a key knowledge-sharing platform, supported by industry events and guided tours.

Through its learning by doing approach, FBC is embedding circularity into upcoming construction, demolition, and renovation projects, creating a replicable model for other regions.

Conclusion

Fryslân Bouwt Circulair exemplifies Circular Friesland’s strategic approach to managing the transition to a circular economy. By addressing both demand and supply-side challenges, fostering collaboration, and creating a shared vision for circular construction, FBC is transforming Friesland into a hub of sustainable innovation. Its bottom-up approach, commitment to value beyond financial returns, and emphasis on collective prosperity make it a model for circular transitions not just in the Netherlands, but across Europe.