Interact represents all programmes run by Interreg, the EU’s instrument for territorial cooperation, helping regions and communities work together across borders on shared challenges. Through its Smarter and Greener Europe networks, Interact connects programmes and projects advancing the circular economy, from resource efficiency and waste reduction to digital and innovation-driven circular solutions. It facilitates learning, exchange and policy linkages, ensuring that results from cooperation shape regional and EU transitions alike. By linking circular innovation with territorial development, Interact showcases how collaboration across borders delivers both smarter systems and greener outcomes, turning Europe’s circular ambitions into practical, place-based action.

Nicolas Garnier is Thematic Capitalisation Manager at Interact, leading the Greener Europe policy network and supporting Interreg programmes as they step up their impact on sustainability, climate and the circular economy. He facilitates cooperation and knowledge exchange amongst regions and EU actors, helping translate project results into policy learning and strategic action. With experience in environmental governance, innovation and regional cooperation, Nicolas drives capitalisation efforts that connect circular solutions across Europe, from local experimentation to EU-wide policy dialogue. His work focuses on making cooperation a catalyst for a greener, more resilient and circular Europe.

Academics for Circular Economy (ACE) is an international non-profit network connecting PhD researchers, postdocs and early-career academics working on circular economy topics. ACE strengthens research capacity through peer learning, mentoring and skills development in research design, stakeholder engagement and science communication. Their mission is to bridge the gap between academic research and practical action by connecting researchers with policymakers, industry and civil society actors. Through collaborative projects, workshops and policy dialogues, ACE fosters high-quality, interdisciplinary research that advances circular economy implementation and systemic sustainability transitions globally.

After over a decade in industry, Priya Saikumar has transitioned to academia to complete her PhD on Circular Economy Transitions in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment sector at the University of Oxford. Priya and seven other members met through an online Circular Economy PhD peer community, and recognised that research and practice in the field often remain siloed. As a result, valuable, high-quality doctoral insights are overlooked and reinvented for decision making in policy and industry. To address this, they founded Academics for Circular Economy, a non-profit that bridges academia and practice by making rigorous research accessible to practitioners while also enabling PhD scholars to apply their expertise and break free of the publish-or-perish cycle.

IndustriALL Global Union represents 50 million workers in 130 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors and is a force in global solidarity taking up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world.

Aske is a leader and engineer within the field of the circular economy, with a focus on waste management. He combines deep technical knowledge with experience from boards of large companies and public affairs work. With a background in the public sector, NGOs and private companies, Aske spans the multiple perspectives of the many actors in a circular economy.