Decoding CIRCUIT: The Story Behind our Acronym & Logo
Every great initiative begins with a vision. In the landscape of European research and innovation, this core vision is often perfectly encapsulated in a single, memorable word. For our Horizon Europe project, that word is our acronym: CIRCUIT. A strong acronym acts as the project's foundational brand identity; it captures complex scientific objectives in a concise form, helping the consortium to communicate its purpose to stakeholders, policymakers and civil society.
But what exactly does CIRCUIT mean, and how did this name come to life?
When our consortium first gathered to design this project, we knew our goal was deeply interconnected: transforming industrial environments to directly benefit the urban areas that surround them. We needed a name that reflected continuous flow, connection, and systemic transformation.
The result is an acronym that serves as the blueprint for our entire methodology. CIRCUIT stands for: Integrating deCarbonization and cIRcularity actions in industrial sites to achieve Climate-neUtral and sustaInable ciTies.
The DNA of our name
- Decarbonization & Circularity: These are the twin pillars of our technical approach. True industrial sustainability cannot be achieved without shifting away from fossil fuels (decarbonization) while simultaneously eliminating waste through regenerative resource cycles (circularity).
- Climate-Neutrality: This represents our primary environmental target. By modernising and upgrading industrial sites, we are actively contributing to the European Green Deal’s ambitious goal of reaching climate neutrality.
- Sustainable Cities: Industries do not operate in isolation. By making industrial hubs cleaner and more efficient, we directly improve the health, resilience and quality of life of the cities and communities around them.
The visual identity behind our logo
Just as our name reflects continuous flow, so does our logo. The design is built around overlapping circular paths that symbolise the dynamic relationship between industrial hubs and urban environments. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the darker arcs subtly form a “C” for CIRCUIT. Where these paths intersect with vibrant green circles, they represent a moment of transformation, the shift from linear processes to a sustainable, circular system. Through its blend of green tones that highlight sustainability and darker shades that convey a sense of technological grounding, the logo portrays CIRCUIT as a living, evolving ecosystem. Interested in our visuals? Discover the CIRCUIT brandbook here!
More than an acronym and a logo, our guiding loop
Ultimately, CIRCUIT is more than just a clever arrangement of letters or a circular design. They reflect the unbroken loop of innovation, industry, and urban planning that drive our work. Through this integrated approach, we aim to support Europe’s transition toward sustainable, circular, and climate‑neutral ecosystems.
And we are just at the beginning of our journey! Through dedicated blog articles, we will dive into each tool, innovation and activity that brings the CIRCUIT vision to life.
Stay tuned, follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube and subscribe to our newsletter!
CIRCUIT VOICES! Putting People at the Centre of the Green Transition
During our Kick-off meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss with Pamela Bartar, a Senior Researcher and Leading Manager, and Daniela Fuchs, a Senior Researcher, at the Centre for Social Innovation, Vienna (ZSI GmbH).
Describe CIRCUIT in three words
Collaboration, Mutual Learning and Transformation
Beyond the tech, why is the human element so crucial for the transition to climate neutrality?
Technology can support our lifestyle, but it does not design it. In the end, it is up to us which kinds of practices we adopt and which kinds of solutions we build into our routines to actually move towards climate neutrality and greater sustainability.
What does co-creation actually look like in practice?
Co-creation in CIRCUIT means bringing diverse stakeholders to the same table. This includes residents, city authorities, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators. They all have the aim to jointly design solutions that reflect real needs and local realities.
What are the CIRCUIT Impact Cafés and why are they a crucial milestone?
The CIRCUIT Impact Cafés are temporary interactive spaces designed for the eight clusters, enabling dialogue, mutual learning and co-design. They help connect knowledge with action, ensuring that the project results can create lasting impact in communities across Europe.
Watch the video interview here!
CIRCUIT VOICES! Meet the Project Coordinator
During our Kick-off meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss with Apostolos Apostolaras. Apostolos is a senior researcher at CERTH, whereas CERTH is also the project’s coordinator.
Describe CIRCUIT in three words
Co-Creation, Circularity and Scalability
What inspired the idea behind CIRCUIT?
The idea behind CIRCUIT stems from the need to bridge the gap between industrial sites and regional cities and connect them towards sustainable development.
What core challenge is CIRCUIT tackling?
CIRCUIT aims to deliver a replicable and scalable solution that can be modified and adopted across diversified use cases and pilot sites.
What’s the one thing that truly sets CIRCUIT apart?
What sets CIRCUIT apart is its systemic approach, where stakeholders are engaged in the deployment of the solutions. It is not only about the technical innovations that CIRCUIT brings, but also about the adaptation of these solutions, which is co-designed to fulfil the requirements of the involved actors.
How do you see your organisation contributing to CIRCUIT's goals?
CERTH, in addition to being the project coordinator, will bring its specific scientific expertise to deliver operational data spaces and support the pilot deployments of all technical solutions.
Watch the video interview here!
CIRCUIT VOICES! Meet the Technical coordinator
During our Kick-off meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss with Dora Papatheochari. Dora is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Planning and Regional Development at the University of Thessaly and the technical coordinator of the CIRCUIT project.
Describe CIRCUIT in three words
Circularity, Climate Neutrality, and Urban Industrial Symbiosis
What’s the scientific vision behind CIRCUIT?
To identify the gaps, needs and priorities of the cities involved in the project, while clearly defining the ecosystems in which they operate. This involves looking at these ecosystems from both a territorial and a governance perspective. On the territorial side, it means identifying the dynamics and interdependencies within each territory. From a governance perspective, it means involving all relevant stakeholders and accelerating their role in this transition.
In your view, what is the ultimate catalyst for climate neutrality?
The ultimate catalyst is the creation of inclusive, collaborative processes that involve all relevant stakeholders. This can help create a solid stakeholder system, increase capacities, and develop a common understanding and knowledge around circularity and decarbonisation.
As the project’s technical leader, what are your top two priorities in the project’s first months?
To accelerate the integration of circular economy and climate neutrality principles and practices into local visions and contexts, as well as into existing value chains. At the same time, CIRCUIT aims to generate knowledge on how cities can overcome barriers towards climate neutrality.
Watch the video interview and learn more!
CIRCUIT Press Release #1
Our first Press Release has been launched, introducing the CIRCUIT project and its mission to support the transition towards circular, climate-neutral industrial and urban regions across Europe.
It also includes key highlights from the project's Kick-off meeting, held from the 8th to the 9th of July, 2026, in Thessaloniki, Greece.