Outputs & Results

SMEs, and in particular sustainability-focused SMEs, in the NPA face more challenges to achieving success than typical SMEs. Target Circular’s objective is to create resources for, and upskill, business support organisations and clusters in 3 areas: 1. Supporting circular SMEs specifically, 2. Address opportunities for innovation and expansion of service provision to SMEs, and 3. Capitalise on new evidence regarding how best to improve SME rates of job creation, growth, and competitiveness.

Introduction

The Target Circular project is a collaboration between institutions in Ireland, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden, and builds on recent research into how businesses can use a more scientific approach to decision-making. Recent research found that advisors can increase their clients’ success by using a particular decision-making approach the team are calling ‘strategy mapping’ which in recent trials with start-ups around the world has been proven to increase revenue, start-up survival and hiring. Target Circular will provide business founders with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to transition towards circular practices, incorporating waste valorisation, environmental partnerships, and sustainable supply chains. These tools will empower businesses to make informed decisions, identifying pathways to sustainable success and avoiding pitfalls. The project aims to create and disseminate materials with business advisors and policymakers in each participating country, promoting evidence-based policies and training approaches to increasing Sustainable SMEs success.

O1.1 Guide for advisors supporting circularity in their clients

Methodology for Mapping Material Flows in Circular Supply Chains forms a central part of the project’s Circular Economy Toolkit, an applied resource created to support business advisors working with SMEs across Northern Europe and the Arctic. At the heart of the methodology is a simple but powerful idea: companies can unlock new value by shifting away from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model and embracing circular economy principles which will minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. The toolkit provides advisors with structured, practical tools to guide this shift, including: - Resource and material flow analysis. - Analysis of tangible resources. - Circular business model canvas. - Circular economy advisory checklist.

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O1.1 Methodology For Mapping Material Flows In Circular Supply Chains

The toolkit provides advisors with structured, practical tools to guide this shift, including: - Resource and material flow analysis. - Analysis of tangible resources. - Circular business model canvas. - Circular economy advisory checklist.

O2.1 Resources for business support organisations considering offering shared services.

Our jointly developed solution is a practical, evidence based “Shared Services Suite” designed to help Business Support Organisations (BSOs) strengthen the support they provide to SMEs.

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1. Shared Service Suite Of Resources Overview

Suite of novel resources to inform business support organisations provision of shared services

O2.3 How Business Support Organisations should use technology to improve client learning—systematically, pragmatically, and with impact.

Unlock a smarter way to support SMEs. Download our practical, evidence‑based toolkit designed to help BSOs streamline advisory work, boost client preparedness, and deliver learning that truly sticks.

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O2.3 BSO Guide Digitising Client Learning

Five documents to guide BSOs use technology to upskill clients - 1 an overview, 2 a review of methodologies, 3 technical options to chose from, 4 example content and 5 a how to guide.

O3.1 High level summary of pilot SME support programs

The pilots were all successful and well received by participants and observing stakeholders. The sequential nature of the approach led to marked and significant changes to the format and method of delivery until the final Strategic Clarity handbook which is a synthesis of all the all the lessons learned.

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O 3.1 Bsos, Clusters And HEI Jointly Piloting New Approaches To Supporting Smes

Report on transnational pilots of new methodologies for supporting SMEs

Strategic Clarity Handbook

Business advisors often face the same frustrations: conversations that jump between issues, repeated firefighting, and clients who agree on plans but struggle to follow through. This handbook introduces a five-step, evidence-informed approach that brings coherence to advisory work — helping advisors align goals, surface and test critical assumptions, and translate strategy into sustained action. By integrating methods that have each been shown to improve entrepreneurial outcomes into a single, structured process, it is designed to strengthen existing advisory practice and significantly increase client success rates.

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Strategic Clarity Handbook

Handbook