On December 14, 2024, Cuban authorities in Havana announced a significant funding opportunity aimed at promoting circular economy initiatives. This initiative offers up to $80,000 for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and other economic actors focusing on managing the paper and cardboard value chain. Applications for this funding are open until January 10, 2025, and the program is designed to enhance economic capacities while promoting social inclusion for women, youth, and people with disabilities. Selected organizations will benefit from training, technical support, and funding for necessary supplies, with sustainability, local impact, and renewable energy use being key selection criteria [4905a322].
This funding initiative aligns with global trends towards sustainability and circular economies, similar to recent developments in Ghana, where the government inaugurated the Circular Economy Centre Project at Ho Technical University on October 24, 2024. This project, backed by the European Union with an estimated budget of $6 million, aims to transition Ghana from a linear to a circular economy, focusing on critical sectors such as water, food, and agriculture. The centre will provide training for 2,000 small-scale entrepreneurs and pilot 200 circular economy technologies, enhancing economic opportunities for women and youth [af52e916].
In Australia, Deakin University has also made strides in the circular economy by establishing the Training Centre for Resource Efficient Alloys in a Circular Economy (circAlloy), supported by nearly $5 million from the Australian Research Council. This centre aims to develop longer-lasting alloys for industries such as mining and construction, promoting resource efficiency and sustainability [59161b08].