Freek van Eijk, ECESP co-chair and Holland Circular Hotspot CEO, at the Circular Economy Conference in Ankara

Freek was in Ankara on 18 January for the Döngüsel Ekonomi Konferansı (Circular Economy Conference) that was attended by 350 participants. The conference was part of the DEEP project; co-financed by the EU, it is assessing Türkiye's potential in the transition to the circular economy and

• promotes the transition to the circular economy,
• is reinforcing Türkiye's corporate and technical capacity during this transition, in line with the EU's circular economy model,
• is preparing a national strategy and action plan.

A host of stakeholders have been involved in the DEEP project, including six ministries, the Union of Municipalities, KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration), industry and consumer associations, Türkiye’s Statistical Office, NGOs and international organisations.

The DEEP project has reached the final stage in the preparations for the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan, which will mark a turning point in Türkiye's development. Six strategic goals, 24 key objectives and 58 measures have been identified, to be implemented between 2024 and 2028 as part of Türkiye's transition to a circular economy.

The strategic goals are: 
1.    Circular products 
2.    Priority sectors 
3.    Waste and wastage prevention and reduction 
4.    Dissemination of the circular economy
5.    Horizontal measures
6.    Monitoring the circular economy  

Freek also moderated a session on best practices that included the following representatives:

• Şule Kiliç, Deputy Head Türkiye, SIG Infra & Energy, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 
• Seyit Ardiç, Board member, The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB)
• Sultan Tepe, Board member, İstanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (İTHİB) & Board member, İstanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO)
• Taha Uluhan, Founder, Novocycle Technologies

The video of the Conference can be watched here.

Ladeja Godina Košir, ECESP co-chair and Founder and Executive Director of Circular Change, at the 9th Dubai International Project Management Forum 2024

Ladeja took part in the 9th Dubai International Project Management Forum 2024. As one of the speakers, she contributed to the panel discussion, representing both Circular Change and the ECESP.

As set out in the official summary of this discussion, participants explored the role of circular projects and the skills needed to ensure that they were a success. It was agreed that a systemic approach is needed to address complex challenges and design rather than recycling is the linchpin of circularity.

In her statement, Ladeja stressed the importance of networking and introduced the ECESP as an example of an effective platform where stakeholders can meet and foster the circular transformation. Circular diplomacy is strongly embedded in the platform's work, and so the event in Dubai offered immense opportunities for developing future projects given that decision makers from the UAE were present, along with many other international experts.