thumbnail_20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - Square.png

20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - Square.png

The Circularity Gap Report: Friesland is a joint initiative led by Circulair Friesland, the Province of Friesland, and Circle Economy to track Friesland’s progress toward a more circular economy while also serving as a model for other regions. As the organizations behind this dashboard, we aim to provide structured indicators to measure key aspects of circularity—such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, and circular jobs—alongside on-the-ground case studies that highlight innovative local initiatives. This approach helps policymakers, businesses, and communities assess progress, address challenges, and accelerate Friesland’s transition to a circular economy. In doing so, Friesland is working toward meeting the national goal of reducing primary resource use by 50% by 2030 and achieving a fully circular economy in the Netherlands by 2050.

Beyond Friesland, this dashboard is designed as a replicable tool that can be implemented in other regions worldwide. By fostering comprehensive comparisons, it enables knowledge sharing and collaboration, allowing regions to learn from one another and scale successful strategies. In addition to tracking current trends, the monitor offers forward-looking recommendations to drive circular development—both within Friesland and beyond—helping to create a more sustainable global economy.

This case study collection supports the dashboard, in showcasing circular economy projects and initiatives already occurring in the region.

CGR Friesland

large_20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - KH Banner.png

medium_20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - KH Banner.png

small_20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - KH Banner.png

thumbnail_20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - KH Banner.png

20250403 - CGR Friesland - Cover - KH Banner.png

Business case

Providing water and sewage services, including water collection and distribution, water treatment systems and sewage treatment facilities

Water and Sewage

Replace freshwater with less impactful alternatives and enact water efficiency measures

Regenerative water

**Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all**

![6..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/6_586f4a9bb3.JPG)

Billions of people still lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, despite improvement in the provision of these basic services. Water scarcity is a growing problem in many parts of the world, and conflicts and climate change are exacerbating the issue. 
Water and sanitation are at the core of sustainable development, and the range of services they provide underpin poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. However, in recent decades overexploitation, pollution, and climate change have led to severe water stress in locales across the world.  
In addition, water pollution is a significant challenge that affects both human health and the environment in many countries. 

Today, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. Climate change is exacerbating the situation, with increasing disasters such as floods and droughts. 80 percent of wastewater in the world flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused, and 70 percent of the world’s natural wetland extent has been lost, including a significant loss of freshwater species. 

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an additional impediment, impairing access for billions of people to safely manage drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services – services desperately needed to prevent the virus from spreading. 

Boosting infrastructure investment, improving cross-sectoral coordination, and addressing climate change are key to getting SDG6 back on track.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/water-and-sanitation](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/water-and-sanitation)



large_Sustainable_Development_Goal_6.png

medium_Sustainable_Development_Goal_6.png

small_Sustainable_Development_Goal_6.png

thumbnail_Sustainable_Development_Goal_6.png

Sustainable_Development_Goal_6.png

6. Clean water and sanitation  

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

**Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable**

![11..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/11_05a380c82a.JPG)

The pandemic has caused major shifts in migration patterns, including huge movements of people in and out of urban areas. Furthermore, climate change and conflicts tend to have disproportionate impacts on cities. These factors mean that the world is far from achieving the goal of sustainable cities.  
In many developing countries, slum populations have been growing, putting at risk the target of adequate housing for all by 2030. Since 2015, the number of countries with national disaster risk reduction strategies has more than doubled. 

Cities are hubs for ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity, and social, human and economic development. Urban planning, transport systems, water, sanitation, waste management, disaster risk reduction, access to information, education and capacity-building are all relevant issues to sustainable urban development.

This target entails multiple essential concepts such as disaster risk reduction (DRR) and sustainable transport.

To achieve SDG 11, efforts must focus on strengthening capacities for planning for urban development, improving access to public transportation, and enhancing waste management. 

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal11)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-cities-and-human-settlements](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-cities-and-human-settlements)


medium_Sustainable_Development_Goal_11.png

small_Sustainable_Development_Goal_11.png

thumbnail_Sustainable_Development_Goal_11.png

Sustainable_Development_Goal_11.png

11. Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Regenerate strategies phase out hazardous or toxic materials and processes and substitute them with regenerative biomass resources. A circular economy aims to mimic natural cycles—by shifting to more regenerative farming practices, for example—while also maximising the share of circular biomass that enters the economy. Regeneration can happen both at the systems level (by designing regenerative processes) as well as at the product level (by switching synthetic to organic fertilisers, for example).

Regenerate

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Industries

small_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

thumbnail_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

large_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

medium_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

small_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

thumbnail_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

![fh.JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/fh_45de648312.JPG)

**These 17 Goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.**

The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, and especially on the Millennium Declaration adopted in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York which let to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed. A major blueprint came out of this: The Sustainable Development Goals: 17 overarching goals—and 169 targets—that governments are aiming to meet by 2030. Significant progress has been made in terms of poverty, health and inequality, but there's still a way to go. This is where the circular economy comes in: by circulating resources multiple times, the circular economy tackles issues of scarcity and allows all to access what they need—without overburdening the earth. If it's implemented in a holistic way—affording attention to social considerations and the fair distribution of resources— it also offers a pathway for achieving the SDGs; and the link between the two is ever-growing. To read more about the link between the SDGs and the circular economy, click [here](https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/how-the-circular-economy-can-help-us-reach-the-sustainable-development-goals).

It is the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) which provides substantive support and capacity-building for the SDGs and their related thematic issues. TheDSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In order to make the 2030 Agenda a reality, broad ownership of the SDGs must translate into a strong commitment by all stakeholders to implement the global goals. DSDG aims to help facilitate this engagement.
Alongside this, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
In addition, the UN Secretary-General presents an annual SDG Progress report, which is developed in cooperation with the UN System, and based on the global indicator framework and data produced by national statistical systems and information collected at the regional level.

To read more information: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

large_sdgs.png

medium_sdgs.png

small_sdgs.png

thumbnail_sdgs.png

sdgs.png

![Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2024_10_21_at_16_53_12_12858da6aa.png)

Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

medium_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

small_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

thumbnail_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

   


 In de wijk Noorderhoek 1 in Sneek vond een volledige herstructurering plaats. In een periode van 10 jaar zijn 282 verouderde woningen gesloopt om plaats te maken voor 232 nieuwe woningen. Dit bleek een uitgelezen kans om innovatieve en duurzame technologieën toe te passen om energieverbruik en milieubelasting sterk te reduceren. In dit project is gewerkt met een totaal energieconcept. Er is een verwarmings- en koelinstallatie die onder meer bestaat uit elektrische warmtepompen en warmte- en koudeopslag in de bodem. Een HR-piekketel verzorgt een deel van de piekwarmtevraag met behulp van lokaal geproduceerd biogas. Dit gas ontstaat na vergisting van organisch materiaal uit zwart water (toiletwater), grijs water (overig water) en huishoudelijk organisch afval (groente- en fruitafval) uit de wijk zelf.Tevens wordt thermische energie teruggewonnen uit grijs water. Het OLAND-proces (Oxygen Limited Autotrophic Nitrification-Denitrification) wordt toegepast als specifieke verwijderingtechniek voor stikstof. Projectpartners: 
Gemeente Sneek Provinsje Fryslân STOWA Wetterskip Fryslân Woningstichting De Wieren
 Activiteiten Desah: 
Beheer en onderhoud Haalbaarheidsstudie Ondersteuning subsidievoorstel Directievoering Procesontwerp Detailontwerp

 
   

 We gebruiken cookies om uw website en onze service te optimaliseren.     Functionele cookies    Functionele cookies  Altijd actief        De technische opslag of toegang is strikt noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel het gebruik mogelijk te maken van een specifieke dienst waarom de abonnee of gebruiker uitdrukkelijk heeft gevraagd, of met als enig doel de uitvoering van de transmissie van een communicatie over een elektronisch communicatienetwerk.      Voorkeuren   Voorkeuren        De technische opslag of toegang is noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel voorkeuren op te slaan die niet door de abonnee of gebruiker zijn aangevraagd.      Statistieken   Statistieken        De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend voor statistische doeleinden wordt gebruikt. De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend wordt gebruikt voor anonieme statistische doeleinden. Zonder dagvaarding, vrijwillige naleving door uw Internet Service Provider, of aanvullende gegevens van een derde partij, kan informatie die alleen voor dit doel wordt opgeslagen of opgehaald gewoonlijk niet worden gebruikt om je te identificeren.      Marketing   Marketing        De technische opslag of toegang is nodig om gebruikersprofielen op te stellen voor het verzenden van reclame, of om de gebruiker op een site of over verschillende sites te volgen voor soortgelijke marketingdoeleinden.    

Sneek

medium_blob

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

DeSah

A research centre for innovative water technologies located in Friesland that is centre point for Dutch water technology. The centre aims to facilitate not only research but also practical applications of technologies, and stimulates cooperation between businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments, in the Netherlands and beyond.

WaterCampus

The Noorderhoek neighbourhood in Sneek, Friesland, is the first of its kind to implement decentralised wastewater treatment, reducing reliance on centralised systems and lowering drinking water consumption. This approach enables more sustainable water use, supports nutrient recovery, and contributes to CO2 emission reductions by minimising energy-intensive water treatment processes. The project was instrumental in the development of DeSaH, a company that has since scaled this water technology internationally. The success of this initiative is closely linked to Friesland’s water technology ecosystem, particularly WaterCampus, which played a critical role in advancing research, innovation, and business development in circular water solutions.Noorderhoek’s decentralised wastewater treatment system demonstrates how circular water management can be successfully implemented in urban settings. By fostering collaboration between research institutions and businesses, Friesland continues to lead in water technology innovation, providing a replicable model for sustainable urban water solutions.

Noorderhoek: Leading the Way in Urban Circular Water

Producing agricultural products and processing them into food and beverageproducts for consumption

Agri/Food

Utilise waste streams as a source of secondary resources and recover waste for reuse and recycling

Use waste as a resource

**Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns**

![12..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/12_ff44598f2b.JPG)

The world is seriously off track in its effort to halve per-capita food waste and losses by 2030.The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on consumption and production patterns, with disruptions to global supply chains and changes in consumer behaviour. 

Responsible consumption and production must be an integral part of the recovery from the pandemic. 
But the global economy also needs to speed up the decoupling of economic growth from resource use by maximizing the socio-economic benefits of resources while minimizing their negative impacts. 

Reporting on corporate sustainability has tripled since the beginning of the SDG period, but the private sector will need to significantly improve reporting on activities that contribute to the SDGs. 

This primarily entails environmentally sound management of "toxic chemicals" A substantial use of chemicals is essential to meet the social and economic goals of the world community, and these can be used with a high degree of safety when best practices are followed.  Gross chemical contamination, with grave damage to human health, genetic structures reproductive outcomes, and the environment, has been continuing within some of the world's most important industrial areas, and restoration will require major investment as well as the development of new techniques.
Effective control of the generation, storage, treatment, recycling and reuse, transport, recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes is another similar challenge. 
In addition,  solid wastes include all domestic refuse and non-hazardous wastes such as commercial and institutional wastes, street sweepings construction debris, and, in some countries, human wastes. As hazardous waste is frequently intermixed with other waste, this poses particular management challenges.
Finally, this target ensures that radioactive waste is safely managed, transported, stored and disposed of, with a view to protecting human health and the environment. 

To deliver SDG12, it is crucial to implement policies that support the shift to sustainable practices and decouple economic growth from resource use.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste)

thumbnail_12.png

12.png

12. Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

 Het programma is ontstaan aan de Ambitietafel Sluiten Nutriëntenkringlopen. Het consortium aan deze tafel bestaat uit Wetterskip, Agricycling, Mulder Agro, Kollectievenberied, BoerenNatuur, gemeente Leeuwarden, gemeente Súdwest Fryslân, Provincie Fryslân, Wetsus, CEW, Van Hall Larenstein, Bioclear Earth, NHL Stenden Hogeschool, Hanze Hogeschool, RUG Campus Fryslân, Innovatiepact Friesland & Vereniging Circulair Friesland. Zij hebben gezamenlijk het thema verkend en dit naar een programma-opdracht vertaald. Mede vanuit de drijfveer van agrariërs om een toekomstbestendige positie in het voedselsysteem te verwerven, wordt er door een groep Friese koplopers reeds gewerkt aan het sluiten van deze kringlopen: 

Bermmaaisel en GFT en reststromen uit de voedingsmiddelenindustrie. Die kringloop ambities loopt tegen een aantal knelpunten aan die opgepakt dienen te worden. En om de kringloop volledig te sluiten moet uiteindelijk ook onze poep en plas (humane excreta) weer terug naar de grond. Op dat terrein zijn de eerste stappen gezet, maar ook daar loopt men tegen drempels aan. Met het programma ‘Sluiten Nutriëntenkringlopen’ worden de gezamenlijke knelpunten geadresseerd om de kringloop van humane excreta sneller tot ontwikkeling en realiteit te brengen.  Bekijk in de onderstaande platen wat het programma Nutriëntenkringloop verder inhoudt!  

Friesland

Wetterskip Fryslan

Province of Friesland

Circulair Friesland is a network of a approximately 180 businesses, governmental organisations, knowledge or educational associations, and social organisations that work in collaboration to implement, facilitate and support the transition to a circular economy in the Province of Friesland, in the Netherlands. The network has a number of successful programmes and aims to help make Friesland one of the most circular regions in Europe.

Vereniging Circulair Friesland

Van Hall Laurenstein University of Applied Sciences

The Programma Sluiten Nutriënten Kringlopen (SNUK) aims to close nutrient cycles in Friesland by returning organic waste and human excrements to the soil as valuable resources. Through collaborative efforts, Frisian frontrunners, including farmers, researchers, and policymakers, are working to develop circular solutions for organic waste streams, such as roadside cuttings, green waste (GFT), and residual flows from the food industry. The initiative is crucial for reducing nutrient loss, enhancing soil health, and creating a more sustainable food system in Friesland.The SNUK programme showcases Friesland’s leadership in circular agriculture and nutrient management. Through collaborative action and innovation, it provides a replicable model for sustainable nutrient cycling in regional food systems.

SNUK: Closing Nutrient Loops in Friesland

Watercampus

Consider opportunities to create greater value and align incentives that build on the interaction between products and services

Rethink the business model

Account for the systems perspective during the design process, to use the right materials, to design for appropriate lifetime and to design for extended future use

Design for the future

Work together throughout the supply chain, internally within organisations and with the public sector and communities to increase transparency and create joint value

Team up to create joint value

Use digital, online platforms and technologies that provide insights to track and optimise resource use, strengthen connections between supply chain actors, and enable the implementation of circular models



Incorporate digital technology

large_blob

WaterCampus Leeuwarden is the central hub for water technology innovation in Europe, dedicated to advancing sustainable water solutions through research, education, and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to accelerate the development, commercialisation, and application of cutting-edge water-related technologies to address global water challenges. With a vision to position Friesland as a world leader in water technology, WaterCampus fosters collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments at local, national, and international levels. Friesland is a region connected to its land and water, with water at the centre of the workings of the region.&nbsp;History and beginningWaterCampus began by analysing the types of companies already active in Friesland. Given the region’s strong connection to water—particularly through its agricultural and dairy sectors—there was already a notable presence of water-focused businesses, initially geared towards supply and later expanding into water treatment. By building on existing expertise and businesses, WaterCampus helped establish a strong infrastructure for water research and innovation—laying the foundation for Friesland’s position as a leader in water technology. The regions’ ambition in terms of the circular economy is lined to ambitions in water technology and water treatment, and lays out long term goals and long term ambitions - this patience in the approach can be seen through the inception of WaterCampus which has gradually shifted and changed to become leaders in the field shifting from dairy farming in the 70s, to water treatment in the 80s, to more innovative technologies now. Part and parcel of long term goals this approach is trust in partners, in governmental institutions, a trust that flows through interactions surrounding the circular economy in the region and is an integral part of the Frisian Approach.&nbsp;The Frisian Approach is evident in WaterCampus’s way of working. Home to an international research center, it supports innovative water companies worldwide, yet maintains a distinctly Frisian way of collaboration. For example, the Europeacellence Centre of Excellence, based in Friesland, works with universities across Europe and engages 120 companies from Friesland, the Netherlands, and around the world, with 35 nationalities involved. Central to this approach is trust and collaboration throughout the research process, recognizing that innovation synergies and the resolution of common challenges can only be achieved through genuine cooperation at every level.Aims and visionWaterCampus’s overarching vision is to establish Friesland as a world leader in water technology, fostering collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments, in what is in the Frisian Approach known as the ‘Triple Helix’ of collaboration. The purpose is to accelerate innovation, the growth of businesses, and the application of water-related technologies to address global water challenges. This ambition rests on the ability not only to develop top academic know-how, but to be able to apply this knowledge in useful, practical, and beneficial ways in terms of the circular economy, so in the market place and in society (societal benefit is key).&nbsp;WaterCampus demonstrates this ambition with 33 newly developed water technology innovations currently being applied in practice following their development at WaterCampus.The Ecosystem of WaterCampusWaterCampus provides a structured innovation ecosystem through its core programs, which include institutions focused on both fundamental and applied research, as well as direct business support.Wetsus, the European Centre of Excellence for sustainable water technology, fosters pre-competitive technology development through scientific research. It was the foundation of WaterCampus, focused on academic research. Through Wetsus, it became clear that businesses faced challenges in working with academic research, prompting the development of additional branches within WaterCampus to support scaling up and working with businesses.The Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) focuses on applied research and accelerating innovation. It collaborates with businesses, universities, applied universities of science, and SMEs on shorter projects that specifically target the development and scaling of water technology solutions.The Water Alliance supports entrepreneurship and business growth by providing funding, incubation, and networking opportunities for water-tech startups, helping them expand internationally.A Unique Model for InnovationWaterCampus has created a unique model to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical business applications. By connecting research institutions, startups, and established companies, WaterCampus fosters the development of market-ready water technologies that address global water challenges. This collaborative environment was designed to ensure that crucial insights from research are translated into practical, scalable solutions.Historically, Friesland’s water technology sector, while prominent,&nbsp;has been underdeveloped in terms of jobs for highly skilled workers, with many skilled professionals leaving the region. WaterCampus is working to reverse this trend by investing in education and job creation, ensuring that research translates into real-world impact.A key focus of WaterCampus is advancing circular water technologies, such as water recovery, nutrient recovery, and energy recovery, all critical for a functioning circular economy. By linking research with business applications, WaterCampus ensures these innovations can scale effectively and contribute to sustainable resource management.With increasing pressures on global water supplies due to climate change, economic growth, and rising demand, developing sustainable water technologies is more urgent than ever. WaterCampus plays a pivotal role in shaping these advancements, maximising resource efficiency, and reinforcing Friesland’s leadership in circular water innovation.Showcasing Circular Innovation: Spoordok and BeyondOne of the most notable examples of WaterCampus’s impact is the Spoordok project in Sneek. This project applies circular water management principles by treating black water separately, thereby maximising nutrient recovery, and reusing treated water efficiently. Vacuum toilet technology is used to isolate pollutants from wastewater, allowing essential nutrients to be recovered and returned to agricultural use. This is a groundbreaking approach, as it marks the first time that human-derived nutrients will be reintegrated into farming systems after safe treatment. The technology behind Spoordok was developed with the collaboration of Wetsus, CEW, and Water Alliance, showcasing the strength of WaterCampus’s innovation ecosystem. Read more about this project <a href="https://urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/noorderhoek-sneek-the-netherlands/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.In Leeuwarden, a new construction project is underway with the ambition to create housing developments that are off the water grid. This project will apply the technologies developed through the WaterCampus network to treat blackwater separately, facilitating water reuse and nutrient recovery. The goal is to return nutrients from human excreta to regional agriculture, representing a significant scaling up of previous smaller-scale projects.Another success story is Hydraloop, a company within WaterCampus that developed a household water treatment system for in-house water reuse. While its focus is on reducing water consumption rather than nutrient recovery, Hydraloop has expanded internationally, reaching markets in Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East. Read more about Hydraloop <a href="https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30473?n=Hydraloop-Revolutionising-Greywater-Recycling-in-Friesland" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.Scaling Impact and Economic GrowthWaterCampus is not only a research hub but a driving force for regional economic development. By nurturing startups and scaling them into stable businesses, it ensures that cutting-edge water technologies are integrated into society. With over 350 long-term partners, the campus fosters cross-sectoral applications of water technology, expanding its reach into industries where water quality and efficiency are critical.The newly planned Spoordok construction project in Leeuwarden exemplifies WaterCampus’s commitment to scaling innovation. This iconic development aims to ensure that no drop of water leaves the area untreated while simultaneously recovering valuable nutrients for regional agriculture. This project marks a crucial step toward implementing large-scale circular water solutions beyond pilot initiatives.Measuring Success and Long-Term GoalsWaterCampus actively tracks its impact through defined performance indicators, with goals extending to 2032. Key metrics include:350+ companies engaged with long-term financial commitments100 patents filed1,000 scientific publicationsGrowing number of European projects, governmental contributions, and large-scale technology applicationsBy continuously developing innovative water technologies, WaterCampus ensures that Friesland remains at the forefront of global water technology innovation. Leeuwarden, already known as the European Capital of Water Technology, benefits from a dynamic environment where talent, research, and business intersect to create sustainable solutions for water management worldwide.ConclusionWaterCampus exemplifies the power of collaboration and trust in driving water technology advancements. By integrating research, entrepreneurship, and education, it provides a unique innovation ecosystem that transforms scientific discoveries into practical solutions. With Friesland's rich history in water management and its long-term vision for sustainability, WaterCampus stands as a beacon of excellence in circular water technology, shaping the future of global water solutions.