#SCHG: Social Circular Hub Ghent

Boosting social, local and circular entrepreneurship

The objective of this preliminary phase is to boost social and circular entrepreneurship at a local level. This hub focuses on networks where stakeholders meet and test concrete cooperation.

These collaborations should result in:

• new circular services or assignments for recognized social economy companies or;
• new circular entrepreneurship with social impact.

Social circular entrepreneurship is an answer to local needs

The hub looks for economic opportunities or local needs and tests solutions within the network. The new circular services and assignments that result from this contribute to solutions for local/regional problems. The hub pays particular attention to the added value of social economy companies in the circular economy.

Creating added value and jobs

The hub also works on awareness of the added value of social and circular entrepreneurship among citizens and companies. In other words, the hub promotes “circular work(s)” in a certain region.

The long-term objective of this experimental space for social circular entrepreneurship is to create additional jobs.

This initiative frames within the research line 'circular and sustainable economy' of our Research and Development Center Business & Management.

Subsidy ESF

The ESF & Sustainable Entrepreneurship department and the Social Economy & Workable Work department of the Department of Work & Social Economy will, together with Vlaanderen Circulair www.vlaanderen-circulair.be financially support these local circular hubs for a period of 2 years.

The call proceeds in 2 phases. A maximum of 20 project applicants started in an exploratory first phase with a duration of 4 months. A maximum of 12 partnerships can access the implementation phase (phase 2).

Budget phase 1

For phase 1 (for which we received approval from 31/12/2020 up to and including 30/04/2021), a budget of a maximum of EUR 15,000 per project was provided, with the following distribution:
- Maximum EUR 6,000.00 (40% by the European Social Fund)
- Maximum EUR 6,000.00 (40% financing by Circular Flanders)
- Minimum EUR 3,000.00 (20% other public or private funding)

Budget phase 2

For phase 2 (for which we also received approval from 01/05/2021 to 31/12/2022), a budget of a maximum of EUR 160,000 is provided, with the following distribution:
- Maximum EUR 70,000 (40% financing by the ESF)
- Maximum EUR 70,000 (40% financing by Circular Flanders)
- Minimum EUR 20,000 (20% other public or private funding)

Budget phase 3

For phase 3 (from 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023 inclusive), a budget of up to EUR 96,000 is provided with the following distribution:
- Maximum EUR 38,400 (40% financing by the WSE dept.)
- Maximum EUR 38,400 (40% financing by Circular Flanders)
- Minimum EUR 19,200 (20% other public or private funding)