UPGRADE brings together research groups from academia and relevant industrial sectors with complementary skills in the mining and construction sectors. The WPs, tasks and the research strategy proposed in the present project were defined during those projects. In UPGRADE we also strive to increase our network and share our experience towards third countries, outside EU/MS countries: six institutions will be integrated to UPGRADE to promote the reuse of WGs for the construction of earthen geostructures worldwide. The members of UPGRADE have identified four issues to be solved to develop the reuse of WGs, thus improving the circularity of mining and construction sectors.

1. Objective 1: To demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of upgraded waste geomaterials considering final use, thereby transforming these materials into valuable resources for construction applications.
2. Objective 2: To unveil the key mechanisms governing the durability of upgraded waste geomaterials, with explicit consideration of climatic and site conditions.
3. Objective 3: To develop and deploy comprehensive modelling and design tools aimed at facilitating the reuse of waste geomaterials in the construction of diverse types of geostructures.
4. Objective 4: To fill the gap in training focused on the core principles of circular economy in the context of WGs management, and foster interdisciplinary cooperation.