FUTURAL

FUTURAL is an EU-funded project that drives sustainable rural development through innovative smart solutions. It focuses on building resilient circular systems that turn local challenges into opportunities. Using co-creation with regional stakeholders, FUTURAL develops strategies for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and climate-friendly practices. Through collaboration, capacity building, and data-driven decision-making, FUTURAL empowers rural regions to adopt circular principles for a greener, more prosperous future.

The Region of Pongau

The Pongau region, located in the heart of Austria, is a dynamic area where tourism and agriculture shape the local economy. The Regionalverband Pongau, which oversees 25 municipalities, faces significant challenges due to strong seasonal fluctuations in waste generation driven by intensive tourism. To address these issues, the Circular Bioeconomy Smart Solution was developed as a framework for the sustainable management of key waste streams, with a focus on sewage sludge. By promoting circular economy principles, the solution helps reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and support a more sustainable model of regional development.

The Circular Bioeconomy Smart Solution

The goal of the Circular Bioeconomy Smart Solution is to support the transition toward a circular bioeconomy in the region of Pongau, by providing stakeholders with a comprehensive decision-support tool. It promotes sustainable regional development by illustrating alternative valorisation pathways for regional resources, supporting informed decision-making that enhances resource efficiency, reduces waste, and creates economic, environmental, and social value for the community. Moreover, it provides guidance for the repurposing of underutilized spaces, following circular economy principles, to support a transition towards a more sustainable regional development.

Overview & Approach

In a series of co-creation and capacity-building workshops, we analyzed key residual biomass streams, in order to identify alternative valorization pathways. The process began with mapping regional resource flows to illustrate possible conversion routes, followed by a Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to quantify these streams. We then developed and visualised circular bioeconomy scenarios using Sankey diagrams, enabling clear comparison of resource pathways and efficiencies. Finally, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was applied to evaluate selected options based on circularity potential, technical feasibility, and economic factors. Engagement with regional stakeholders was central throughout the process, helping refine scenarios, ensure practical relevance, and support informed decision-making for sustainable resource valorisation in the region.