A network supporting the sustainable development of Slovakia’s regions

The Regional Circular Economy Centres Ecosystem, referred to as the RCOH Ecosystem, is an open network of organisations committed to jointly supporting the sustainable development of Slovakia’s regions. It connects projects, expertise, partners and investment opportunities so that existing solutions can be put into practice and further developed.

Every year, projects implemented in Slovakia and across Europe generate new methodologies, technologies, professional capacities, partnerships and pilot solutions. However, once their funding ends, many of these results are used only partially, are not transferred to other regions or are not developed systematically.

The RCOH Ecosystem therefore provides a space where project results can be shared, connected with the specific needs of regions and used to prepare further projects, pilot solutions and investments. Its ambition is not to establish a new institution or replace existing organisations, but to enable them to work together more effectively.

The strength of collaboration lies in the diversity of its partners

The development of the RCOH Ecosystem is led by the National Recycling Agency Slovakia (NARA-SK), which works in the fields of circular economy, social economy, green transition and regional development.

The network is based on voluntary collaboration among organisations representing five interconnected areas:

• the public sector and local and regional authorities,
• the business sector,
• academia and research,
• civil society and the social economy,
• the environmental sector.

Bringing these areas together makes it possible to connect expertise, research and innovation with the practical needs of cities, municipalities, regions, businesses and local communities.

From sharing experience to developing joint projects

The RCOH Ecosystem provides a space for sharing information, methodologies and examples of good practice, connecting experts and developing new partnerships. Over time, this collaboration is also expected to lead to the preparation of concrete regional, national and international initiatives.

The main areas of collaboration include:

• circular economy and bioeconomy,
• social economy and social innovation,
• energy and energy communities,
• climate adaptation and the protection of natural capital,
• digitalisation and data-driven solutions,
• support for small and medium-sized enterprises,
• education and skills development,
• the transfer of research results into practice,
• regional development and job creation.

Planned activities include establishing thematic working groups and regional platforms, mapping project results and professional capacities, organising educational and expert events, preparing pilot solutions and building new project consortia.

Why regions need this kind of collaboration

Cities, municipalities and regions face complex challenges that cannot be addressed effectively in isolation. The green and digital transitions, shortages of skilled workers, climate change, support for local businesses and the development of the social economy all require collaboration among the public sector, businesses, research organisations and local communities.

The RCOH Ecosystem aims to bring knowledge and proven solutions closer to the places where they can be applied. Regions can gain better access to expertise, partners and project opportunities. Businesses can participate in pilot activities and innovation projects, while academic and research organisations can transfer the results of their work into practice more effectively.

This collaboration can help regions become better prepared for future programming periods, develop stronger project concepts and local partnerships, and use available resources more effectively.

What PEDAL Consulting brings to the network

PEDAL Consulting has extensive experience in preparing, managing and implementing European research and innovation projects. We work with international partners from academia, industry, the public sector and civil society, helping to translate project objectives into concrete activities, results and long-term partnerships.

Our main contributions to the RCOH Ecosystem include:

• experience with Horizon Europe and other European programmes,
• expertise in preparing project concepts and building consortia,
• know-how in communication, dissemination and the uptake of project results,
• experience in stakeholder engagement and building expert communities,
• connections with international research, innovation and business networks,
• the ability to connect the needs of Slovak partners with European opportunities.

PEDAL Consulting already collaborates with NARA-SK through the GreenVOCnet project, which focuses on developing the vocational skills needed for the green transition. This collaboration creates opportunities to connect European project know-how with the needs of Slovak municipalities, businesses, educational institutions and regional stakeholders.

From project results to real impact

We see our membership in the RCOH Ecosystem as an opportunity to develop new partnerships, support the wider uptake of valuable project results and bring European experience closer to Slovakia’s regions.

The real value of projects does not come solely from creating new knowledge or solutions. It emerges when these results reach the people and organisations that can use them, develop them further and turn them into lasting positive change.

More information about the RCOH Ecosystem (in Slovak):
https://www.narask.sk/l/rcoh-system-ktory-prepaja-potencial-regionu/