Every major transformation begins with a small ripple. This is the phenomenon known as the “Ripple Effect”. In other words, an initial action or event can have significant consequences on the environment and various aspects of daily life. It represents both an opportunity and a genuine challenge.
The European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative acknowledges the efforts of entrepreneurs and other key actors who are reimagining the way we live, as well as the features of our ecosystems, so they can transition toward more sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive spaces that ensure well-being.
As a source of inspiration and a call for new exemplary projects, the NEB has released a short film that brings stories of change and their protagonists to the whole of Europe. This audiovisual piece is available for free on YouTube, via the official channel of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), and it presents three “Ripple” examples — one of them based in Seville.
We’re talking about Remonda, the startup that transforms orange peels into a sustainable biomaterial. The team has demonstrated the innovative potential of food waste within the framework of a circular economy. With backgrounds in biotechnology, climate geology, and international marketing, their proposal has gained recognition — even receiving praise from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“It’s a project from Seville for Seville,” says co-founder Marina Pérez. Meanwhile, geologist Celia Camacho explains the initiative’s current goal: to create a new type of product packaging that can replace conventional, polluting plastic. It will be used to package items like jewelry or stationery, but it could also be applied in the eco-fashion industry.
“We’re talking about some 6,000 tons of oranges collected and discarded every year in the city of Seville.” Traditionally, the peel of bitter oranges has been used to make marmalade, but now new uses are being explored — ones that are already attracting interest from the local community. The short film presents this strategy through the voices of its protagonists, speaking in the characteristic accent of the Andalusian capital. Their interviews are in Spanish, but subtitled in English to ensure wider dissemination.
“It excites us; it sparks our interest in doing something meaningful,” conclude the founders of Remonda in the film. In this sense, the New European Bauhaus plays a key role by providing tools and funding for female entrepreneurs like them, who — as Ursula von der Leyen puts it — are “the strength of the NEB.” The short film also highlights other NEB initiatives currently underway in Latvia and Norway.
In Liepāja, the Restoration Centre teaches traditional techniques to help local residents revitalize more than 400 historic buildings and preserve their architectural heritage — a valuable part of the city’s collective memory. Meanwhile, in Stavanger, Site 4016 is under construction: a space that will host co-created activities and projects involving residents, students, and architects. These will include a small sports center and green areas for relaxation and outdoor dining. Watch the full short film at this.
