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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

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Business case

Producing electrical equipment and machinery for industrial use

Capital Equipment

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

Use waste as a resource

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

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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)



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6. Clean water and sanitation  

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Slow strategies aim to keep materials in use for as long as possible, for example through design for durability and repairability. A more circular economy is also a slower one: materials, components, and products—and even buildings and infrastructure—that we lock in stocks are made to last. This will lower material demand in the long run, in essence also serving to narrow resource flows.

Slow

Industries

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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

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

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**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)

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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

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Dokwork

The transition to a circular economy not only transforms how businesses operate, but also how they include people. A truly sustainable and future-proof society depends on an inclusive labour market — one that recognises the value of everyone’s contribution. In a circular business model, there is room for every talent, regardless of background or ability. This approach ensures that economic, social and environmental goals reinforce each other.Across Friesland, several leading organisations are demonstrating how circularity and social inclusion go hand in hand. By creating opportunities for people with a distance to the labour market, these companies contribute to both economic value and societal wellbeing. Below, three examples illustrate how this vision is turned into reality.CaparisCaparis is the talent and employment partner for socially conscious organisations in Friesland. Through close cooperation with over 100 regional companies, Caparis coaches people with a distance to the labour market towards a fitting and fulfilling job — either externally or within its own diverse operations.More than just providing jobs, Caparis offers structure, security and the opportunity to grow. It believes that every person is unique and deserves a chance to develop their talents in a supportive environment. With customised guidance and clear pathways for growth, Caparis ensures that work becomes a place of purpose, not just productivity.By connecting talent with opportunity, Caparis not only strengthens individuals, but also helps organisations embrace their role in an inclusive, circular economy.<img src="https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/caparis_b645a426fb.jpg">Photo: CaparisEmpatecEmpatec is one of Friesland’s largest social development companies, offering work and growth opportunities to over 1,100 employees. With locations in Sneek, Franeker and Wier, Empatec provides tailored jobs across five certified professional sectors. Half of its employees are placed with regular employers in the private market, while the rest contribute directly within Empatec’s operations.Working at Empatec means more than earning an income — it means being part of a purpose-driven organisation that values personal growth, self-worth and professional pride. Empatec operates with high standards, including ISO9001, SKAL and FSSC 22000 certifications, ensuring both social and commercial value.In collaboration with municipalities and local partners, Empatec delivers reintegration services and meaningful employment to individuals covered by the Participation Act and the former WSW. With a clear focus on sustainability, quality and inclusion, Empatec builds bridges between people and the labour market.<img src="https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/empatec_9be46cba6b.jpg">Photo: EmpatecDokwurkDokwurk is a social development company in Noardeast Fryslân that supports people in finding their place in the labour market. Guided by the belief that “not being able” simply does not exist, Dokwurk creates opportunities through a personalised and supportive approach. The organisation focuses on integration, education and employment — for everyone.At the heart of Dokwurk’s mission is “gewoon bijzonder én bijzonder gewoon” (ordinarily special and specially ordinary), ensuring that every individual is seen for their strengths. In a safe, warm and encouraging environment, participants are empowered to grow at their own pace, develop new skills, and gain independence. Whether through working in the kitchen, exploring industrial tasks, or learning in green spaces, everyone is offered a meaningful path forward.With modern work-learning concepts, sustainable practices, and strong regional partnerships, Dokwurk stands as a leader in inclusive and future-oriented workforce development.<img src="https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/dokwurk_130b17271d.jpg">Photo: Dokwurk

Circular business requires an inclusive labour market