EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) is a five-year project funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and implemented by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund and Enabel. The EU CERC aims to increase the uptake of sound and inclusive circular economy policies and business models, based on peer-to-peer exchanges and partnerships between EU and partner’s country stakeholders.

EU CERC runs the annual Circular Business Awards, geared towards micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in countries eligible for official development assistance support. Each year, two circular business prizes are awarded: one for a circular business in a specific sector, in 2026, the Electronics & ICT sector, and one for a young female entrepreneur (any sector).

Specifically, the EU CERC will award these two prizes to a company and a person who are inspiring examples of the promotion of circular business models. In both cases, the company must be of micro-, small or medium size, based in an EU partner country, and active for at least three years. The young female entrepreneurship prize is aimed at a company that was (co-)founded and still (co-)led by a young female entrepreneur, currently not older than 35 years.

The winners will be announced at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026. Both winners will be invited to participate in WCEF2026 to receive the award including tailored EU CERC exchange, coaching, visibility and promotion of a value of EUR 10,000.

Visit the EU CERC website for the application form and selection criteria. The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday 7 December 2025 at 23:59 CET (UTC+1).