Circular Economies and Digital Tools for Sustainability in Urban Local Ecosystems

Abstract

This article provides an exploratory overview of selected projects that promote circular and participatory models to facilitate the circulation of resources and value – both monetary and non-monetary – with a particular focus on projects that utilise digital tools. By further focusing on digital platforms that support community-based circular economy initiatives in an urban context, our aim was to investigate how technology can effectively address challenges in the field of social and environmental sustainability. We examine circular economies in sharing economy and collaborative economy projects that focus on the reuse of items as well as on circular processes for the repair and upcycling of materials. These initiatives, which are based on participatory principles, represent models of mutual exchange designed to promote sustainability and community relations. A diverse range of social actors and community-based organisations are involved in the projects under investigation. We consider two types of instruments: firstly, instruments that facilitate the management and exchange of goods and services, as well as the tracking of trade, flows and transactions. Secondly, instruments that facilitate behavioural change, particularly those that provide incentives for circular and participatory behaviour. The main aim of this study is to examine the digital dimension within the context of diverse economic systems, community currencies and non-monetary exchange processes, with a focus on participatory dynamics and socio-ecological challenges in urban settings. The paper also seeks to explore whether and how these initiatives establish relationships with institutional actors, examining the dynamics of interaction between grassroots movements and formal institutions. The study investigates how technological, economic and institutional dimensions are intertwined, thereby creating dynamics of sustainability and participation in local community contexts.