Lead organisation: Circular Change, Slovenia

The ambition of the workshop was to present the role of network governance and circular diplomacy to embrace climate change and biodiversity.

System-level changes with long-term consistency are needed and therefore transformation of existing governance structures is unavoidable. Understanding of network governance, role of CE hubs and transition brokers as well as of circular diplomacy was in the focus of the workshop. Discussion was based on lessons learned on the ground, complemented with the presentation of initiatives focused on the identification of interventions needed to support systems change on national, regional and global level. 

Points of discussion:  

• How & where to “plug in” to make circular transition a reality
• climate change and biodiversity in the context of so much needed economic & societal paradigm shift
• network governance vs. public governance – shaping joined agenda for the resilient future of the EU (and beyond)  
• value and impact of circular economy hubs – cocreation of ecosystem where system change solutions can be implemented
• cases – national / regional / global activities of CE networks and hubs, new coalitions, knowledge cocreation and concrete actions  
• circular diplomacy – EU as the lighthouse of green and circular transformation
• mapping opportunities for bridging global north and global south  
• conclusions and next joined steps of CE networks & hubs

Programme

• Opening remarks: Ladeja Godina Košir, Founder Circular Change, Co-chair ECESP
• Keynote address: Dr Janez Potočnik, former EU Commissioner, Co-chair IRP UN, Partner Systemiq –  circular diplomacy

Short presentations and discussion:  

• Dr Laura Cutaia, ENEA, ICESP – role and impact of national CE platforms / case of Italy
• Hubert Bukowski, Innowo – from national CE platforms to the international engagement / case of Circular Week
• Dr Vesna Lavtižar, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), & HCH team - the power of network governance / cases from HCH & ACEN
• Luca Polidori, VELTHA, HCH – one mission, many hubs – EU lessons for global impact / case of Plug and Play Circular Active listener
• Cathrine Barth, NCH - Nordic countries and transfer of knowledge