Germán Olmeda

Located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, the Community of Madrid is the most densely populated region in Spain, with 8,021.80 km² and around 6.9 million inhabitants. Madrid is a leader in research and development through initiatives such as the RIVCircular project and the Regional Innovation Partnerships. Madrid’s dynamic ecosystem includes IMDEA, six leading public universities and numerous companies, representing around 16% of all companies in Spain. Its Smart and Sustainable Specialisation Strategy (S3) is driving the transformation of the production model with a strong focus on the circular economy. Key sectors include biotechnology, ICT, aerospace, clean energy and logistics. The region is at the forefront of global circular economy efforts, focusing on construction waste recycling, wastewater treatment, energy storage, ICT innovation, emissions management, electric vehicle battery recycling and textile industry sustainability. Through innovation and sustainable practices, Madrid is leading the environmental transition. Community of Madrid regional government leads RIVCircular project through the Directorate General for Cooperation with the State and the European Union, with the colaboration of Directorate General of Research and Technological Innovation and of Directorate General of Energetic Transition and Circular Economy.