Praxisgemeinschaft Circular Cities NRW Unterstützung der Kommunen auf dem Weg zum systemischen Wandel Cities and municipalities are key drivers in the transition toward a circular economy. Yet, many actors face similar obstacles along the way: isolated pilot projects, limited exchange between departments and regions, and a lack of structured spaces for collaboration. The Gemeinschaft der Praxis (CoP) Circular Cities NRW project aims to address these challenges by creating a state-wide platform in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany that supports municipalities and their partners in moving from individual circular initiatives toward systemic change. The project brings together municipalities, businesses, research organisations, and civil society actors, who share the ambition of advancing circularity across the state. It builds on the strong momentum generated by the thematic working group on circular cities, initiated and co-led by CSCP and the NRW state government since 2024. What began as a place for peer exchange quickly revealed the demand for a more continuous, structured, and practice-oriented collaboration format. The Community of Practice, therefore, aims to offer a comprehensive platform for learning, co-creation, and joint action. At the heart of the CoP is a commitment to make existing solutions more visible, understand what works in real municipal contexts, and jointly develop approaches that can be scaled and transferred across regions. The CoP combines digital and in-person formats to support this process. A dedicated digital platform enables ongoing exchange, networking, and the sharing of resources, while regular in-person workshops and thematic sessions deepen the collaboration. These activities are complemented by hands-on learning opportunities, such as excursions, case study discussions, and “lessons learned” dialogues that connect participants with practical examples from within and beyond North Rhine-Westphalia. The work of the CoP is organised around thematic focus areas that reflect the key challenges municipalities are facing in adopting circular approaches. Among others, these include: kreisförmige Beschaffung governance and cross-departmental cooperation capacity-building, approaches to citizen engagement and behavioural change Through these thematic streams, participants will have the chance to explore concrete obstacles and opportunities and co-develop practical outputs that help transfer knowledge into action. By connecting local experiences with national and European initiatives, the CoP further contributes to positioning North Rhine-Westphalia as an emerging frontrunner in circular city development. The Community of Practice is open to all actors in North Rhine-Westphalia who are committed to advancing circular solutions—municipal administrations, local enterprises, research institutions, innovation networks, and civil society initiatives. By engaging in the CoP, participants join a growing network that aims to shape a more resource-efficient, resilient, and circular future for cities and communities across the state. The CoP Circular Cities NRW runs from January 2026 until July 2027. The project is funded by the State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Klima – LANUK).