The main objective of the project is to stimulate and facilitate the transition of farmers and MSMEs in the Chilean Norte Grande (in the desert) towards circular economy models through training and implementation of sustainable practices in their production processes. The action will be articulated through the transfer of methodologies and business linkages between Chile and Spain.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• Establish the baseline of the production impact of the agricultural chain in the Chilean Norte Grande with respect to GHG emissions and determine the level of adoption of circular economy models by agricultural MSMEs. This action will focus on capacity building, circularity and digitalisation, and will rely on European experts in the implementation of circular economy strategies.
• Promote and generate instances of articulation and business linkage between Chilean MSMEs and European companies seeking exchange to accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices through workshops and the dissemination of strategies.
• Design a self-diagnostic web tool for the identification and prioritisation of circular economy strategies for farmers and agricultural MSMEs. A representative community will be trained for the implementation of circularity strategies according to the web tool through circular economy pilots.
• Form a consortium to ensure the maintenance of the methodology developed and its replication in other regions and/or value chains in Latin America.

Final beneficiaries are defined as small and medium-sized farmers in the Chilean desertin addition to MySME partners Primary agricultural production. In addition, consideration will be given to beekeepers and workers related to agri-food products, and other actors with sustainable attributes within the region.

Franko Restovic

Project Coordinator - Universidad Andrés Bello

franko.restovic@unab.cl