The aim is, on the one hand, to highlight the eco-innovative technological needs and challenges of the sector in the adoption of models based on the Circular Economy and, on the other hand, to identify technologies and results developed by the research centres of the Valencian Community with transfer potential to provide solutions, thus connecting both parties and fostering further cooperation in the future. 

We aim to establish a forum of dialogue with the Public Administration, which includes all levels (local, regional, provincial and autonomous) and which allows the alignment of public actions, thereby helping to guide public policies more appropriately in the implementation of circular economy models, facilitating and promoting the incorporation of R&D results and innovations for industrial symbiosis, sustainable development and circular economy.

The implementation of the principles and regulations set out in the "Action Plan for an Effective Transition to the Circular Economy" (where one of the Axes is "Tourism") will provide the basis and guidance on which this collaboration can be based.

Establishing relations with national and European entities working on the study, analysis, promotion and application of these practices in Circular Economy and Eco-innovation will be necessary to achieve the project's objectives. These actions would support the analysis work of the specific sectorial situations and factors that influence their environmental orientation to promote the incorporation of criteria related to the Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis in the decisions of implementation of innovations by the companies.

This would make it possible to bring together a whole series of specific knowledge and techniques from a sectorial perspective for further dissemination and transference to companies, optimising their impact on Eco-innovation, Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis indicators.

These actions will serve in the future to boost collaboration between entities in the Valencian Community around the development of R&D projects related to the concept of Circular Economy. 

The research of funding sources, both public and private, for future initiatives and collaborations, will be fundamental for the growth of the Network and the development of its activities, as well as the extension of the knowledge and practices acquired to other industries in the Valencian Community. The internationalisation of the Network's activity is one of the objectives proposed in the future as the project develops, for which the participation of its members in European funding calls for R&D&I projects and other initiatives will be necessary.

In addition, for the Circular Economy Innovation and Industrial Symbiosis Laboratory to lead the Platform in these actions, it is necessary to articulate and implement its Strategy for internationalisation and participation in international funding programmes that will serve as a basis in the future (through the knowledge acquired and synergies) for the planning and implementation of the actions of the Circular Economy Innovation Platform aimed at obtaining resources.

Therefore, this proposal's main objective is the development of an Internationalisation Strategy for the Circular Economy Innovation Laboratory and the implementation of some actions to achieve the possible objectives proposed. Hence, the general objectives/actions of this proposal are the following:

• Elaboration of a document, "Strategic Plan for Participation in Public Funding Programmes", for the Laboratory, focusing on international calls for proposals. Laboratory members are currently working on it.

• Promotion of the Innovation Laboratory's relational capital to establish contact with organisations to create partnerships to participate in funding programmes for R&D&I projects, networks, exchange of experiences, stays, etc.

• Promote the participation of the laboratory members in public R&D&I funding programmes, mainly international, on eco-innovation, circular economy, and industrial symmetry. This initiative aims to promote the internationalisation and impact of the Laboratory's research.

• Analysis and encouragement of collaborative actions with the Public Administration, seeking synergies in issues related to the Circular Economy (and in a first phase with the Tourism Industry) to find resources through the different programmes and the promotion of R&D&I projects, not only European but also from the Next Generation funds, Innovative Public Procurement or Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE). It will also seek to promote the inclusion of topics related to Circular Economy and Tourism in the Regional Strategy for Research and Innovation for a Smart Specialisation of the Valencian Region, RIS3.

• Development of training programmes and consultancy services to support the implementation of techniques and methodologies based on Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis models, for which the skills acquired through participation in international projects will play a fundamental role.

At the same time, and as a result of these actions, those organisations working around the concepts of Circular Economy, Eco-innovation and Industrial Symbiosis in the Valencian Community will benefit, as they will serve to dynamise and promote collaboration between organisations in the Valencian Region (for example, through initiatives such as the creation of the Circular Economy Innovation Platform for the Tourism Industry).

In addition, the Lab will be very attentive to new collaboration and business opportunities that arise around implementing these concepts and the need for new developments, consultancy, training, etc.

Finally, it should be noted that these objectives are aligned with many of those defined in the priority development pillars and objectives of the Innovation Strategy of the Generalitat Valenciana:

Promotion of the internationalisation of the Research Team driving the initiative (and through synergies with other entities in the Valencian Community), to foster cooperation with international organisations and platforms, to promote participation in R&D&I projects financed by programmes such as Horizon Europe, Green Deal, LiFE, ERASMUS +, etc.

Promotion of Innovation and boosting the competitiveness of companies in the Valencian Community through sustainable business growth by connecting different entities working in the Circular Economy, incorporating R&D&I results, eco-innovative practices and technologies that promote Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis.

Dissemination and transference of knowledge, methods, technologies and R&D&I results related to the Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis.