On June 10, OpenEconomics and Omnisyst will host a discussion on a highly practical issue: how to bridge the gap between the public funding available for the circular economy and industrial companies’ actual ability to access it.
Circular economy funding: the OpenEconomics–Omnisyst webinar
Italy performs above the European average in recycling. According to Eurostat data published in November 2025, 21.6% of the materials consumed in the country in 2024 came from recycled waste reintroduced into the production cycle - almost double the EU average (12.2%) and the third-highest figure in Europe, after the Netherlands and Belgium.
However, Italy still lags behind when it comes to using the public funding designed to support this transition. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) allocated around €1.8 billion to the circular economy - approximately 1% of the Plan’s total resources - yet by the end of 2025 only 21% of those funds had actually been spent, amounting to less than €400 million (Italia Domani data processed by OpenPNRR). Directly managed European programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe are also underutilised by Italian companies compared to their potential.
For industrial businesses generating significant volumes of production waste, this gap often results in postponed investments or projects financed entirely through internal resources, despite the availability of public co-funding opportunities.
On June 10, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM CET, OpenEconomics and Omnisyst will address these issues in a 45-minute webinar designed for professionals responsible for translating sustainability goals into operational decisions and investment strategies.
What the webinar will cover
The webinar will focus on four key topics, built around the questions companies most frequently raise when evaluating whether and how to finance circular economy investments through public funding.
• Why accessing public funding remains challenging: the three most common obstacles — identifying the right funding instrument, translating industrial projects into the language required by funding calls, and concerns related to reporting and compliance obligations.
• The funding opportunities currently available: an overview of the main programmes accessible today, from LIFE and Horizon Europe at European level to regional ERDF funds and the STEP Development Contract at national level, including the criteria for selecting the most suitable option for a specific industrial investment.
• How to choose the right call for proposals: the four-step OpenEconomics methodology, from the initial project assessment to the disbursement of funds, together with the most costly mistakes companies should avoid.
• How to manage post-award reporting requirements: best practices for handling reporting activities correctly and reducing the risk of partial or total revocation of funding.
When, where and who it is for
The webinar will take place online on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM CET. Participation is free of charge.
Registration is available at: Fondi pubblici per l’economia circolare
The webinar is aimed at professionals responsible for operational and strategic sustainability decisions within companies, including production managers, plant managers, sustainability and environmental managers, Heads of ESG, CFOs, corporate finance managers, tender office managers and administrative teams.
The webinar will conclude with an open Q&A session.
Speakers and target audience
The webinar will feature two speakers approaching the topic from complementary perspectives.
OpenEconomics representative Alberto Di Loreto, Head of Arrangement - Public Funding, will provide the perspective of subsidised finance: how to identify the most suitable calls for proposals, develop competitive applications and manage funding throughout the 24–36 months following approval.
Pamela Dormienti, Sustainability Manager at Omnisyst, will bring the operational perspective of companies supporting industrial organisations in the management of production waste, from material flow analysis to implementation activities.
For companies currently defining next year’s investment plans, assessing co-financing opportunities before final approval can significantly improve project economics and financial sustainability.
We look forward to welcoming you!
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