Chile advances circular economy through innovation awards and new financing

Chile is strengthening its circular economy ecosystem through new recognition initiatives and expanded access to financing. The Circular Awards 2026 has received over 180 project submissions from various regions, including startups, SMEs, universities, and public institutions. These projects aim to provide concrete solutions in innovation and sustainability, with a multidisciplinary jury tasked with evaluating their impact and scalability.

To support the transition from innovation to industrial scale, several financial instruments are available in Chile. These include R&D laws, Corfo innovation programs, tax incentives, and green credits linked to sustainability goals. The Construction Circular Economy Network (Red ECC), an initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and involving Corfo and the Chilean Chamber of Construction, has been working to connect industry needs with these funding sources to promote waste valorization and sustainable construction practices.