Bridging local and European networks: How circular hubs can drive inclusive regional growth

A patch of grass forming a map of Europe
Start/End date
Event type
EU Circular Talks
City
Online
Sector
Governance,
Other
Specify sector
Circular Hubs
Scope
EU,
Coordination Group 2023-2025
Key Area
Innovation and investments
Organising Body
Holland Circular Hotspot
Rediscovery Centre
SMEunited
Circular Flanders
Circular Change
The Interreg MED Green Growth Community
Ecopreneur.eu
Event summary

The ECESP Leadership Group Towards a European Network of Circular Economy Hubs organised the #EUCircularTalks event on Bridging local and European networks: How circular hubs can drive inclusive regional growth.

This event explored the role of EU networks in advancing circular economy goals across Europe, focusing on how local circular hubs can leverage their strengths to foster inclusive regional growth. Discussions centred on enhancing community engagement, supporting social enterprises, improving cross-regional collaboration and addressing funding and policy challenges. One key objective was to build consensus around the definition of circular hubs and strengthen connections with established European networks.

 

Programme

Opening remarks

  • Anders Ladefoged, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
  • Freek van Eijk, Director at Holland Circular Hotspot  
  • Moderator: Luca Polidori, Secretary and Program Manager CE-Hub at Holland Circular Hotspot, Moderator

Introduction to circular hubs     
A brief overview of participating circular hubs.

Keynote panel: Unlocking the power of EU networks for regional solutions:

  • Karin Huber-Heim, Executive Director of Circular Economy Forum Austria (Presentation) 
    - Focus on policy advocacy and cross-regional regulatory alignment    
    - Examples of circular economy policies implemented in Austria
  • Alisa Mick, Founder of MiXi, Helsinki (Presentation) 
    - Insights into supporting circular start-ups and accessing funding    
    - Lessons on scaling local innovations
  • Dina Padalkina, Founder and Chairwoman of Circular Berlin, Germany (Presentation) 
    - Community-centric approaches to promoting circular economy principles     
    - The role of education and local partnerships in advancing projects
  • Ingvild De Bondt, Project Leader Circular Economy and Coordinator of De Keet, Aalst, Belgium (Presentation) 
    - Focus on the link with partners and cooperation with Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs)    
    - Brief insight into current projects and challenges.

Interactive engagement session: Building Consensus and Defining Circular Hubs     
This interactive segment focused on creating consensus around a shared definition of circular hubs.

Q&A session

Closing remarks and next steps

This event took place online on 6 December at 10:30-12:30 CET.