ACR+ is an international network of cities and regions sharing a common goal: promoting sustainable resource management practices. Established to encourage innovation, knowledge transfer and cooperation, they are at the forefront of the movement toward a circular economy, where resources are used sustainably and waste is minimised, where sub-national authorities play a key role and establish strong partnerships with a multitude of stakeholders. 

Anita Lombardo is a Project and Policy Officer at ACR+, where she manages EU-funded projects focusing on circular public procurement, construction and demolition waste, EPR and circular bioeconomy. With experience across the public, private and non-profit sectors, she has engaged with diverse stakeholders and developed expertise in policy analysis, project management and cross-sectoral collaboration. Anita has worked at Nespresso and at the European Commission’s Secretariat General, gaining deep insights into mainstreaming sustainability considerations in production value chains and policy. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Anita holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development and her wide-ranging expertise enables her to navigate the complexities of EU programmes and sustainable development initiatives.  

The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS) is an international NGO with a network of members and experts advocating for environmentally friendly technical standards, policies and laws. For over two decades, they have shaped environmentally ambitious standards, policies and laws in areas such as the clean transition to a circular economy, building a renewable and efficient energy system and fighting greenwashing. They are also pushing for a more inclusive, open and transparent standardisation system at all levels, and the appropriate use of standards in support of environmental legislation and policy.

As Head of the Circular Economy and Nature team at ECOS, Mariana leads efforts to advance environmental priorities in international and EU policy and to strengthen the representation of environmental interests in standardisation. She is responsible for developing and implementing ECOS’ strategy on Circular Economy and Nature.

Dr Agnieszka Sznyk is President of the Board at INNOWO in Warsaw, Poland. She holds a PhD from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and a diploma in Public Relations from the University of Warsaw. Agnieszka is a member of the Council of Advisors to the President of the Łukasiewicz Centre and an expert in the Circular Economy Working Group under Poland’s National Smart Specialisations (NSS).
 

As the founder and leader of INNOWO, a renowned “Think and Do Tank” promoting innovation and systemic change for sustainable socio-economic growth, she has built the organisation from the ground up into one of Europe’s most acclaimed actors in sustainability and the circular economy. Under her leadership, INNOWO has become a driving force behind cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and the promotion of circular business models in Poland and beyond.
She is also advisor to public institutions and businesses and a passionate advocate for the shift to a circular economy.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development and is active in 125+ countries. ICLEI Europe supports local governments across Europe, the Middle East and West Asia in their transition to climate neutrality and more resilient and equitable communities.

Simon Gresset is Senior Expert on the circular economy at ICLEI Europe. With extensive experience spanning local government and his current work at ICLEI Europe, Simon brings deep expertise in embedding circularity into urban systems. Through European projects or initiatives like the Circular Cities Declaration, Simon creates connections between cities, advises and supports implementation efforts, and highlights the crucial role that cities play in driving the circular transition. He also coordinates advocacy activities on the circular economy, through the informal Circular Cities Frontrunner group, and represents ICLEI Europe in key EU initiatives like the CCRI.

Recycling Europe is the leading voice for a competitive European recycling industry, enabling the circular economy and preserving resources for future generations.

Julia Ettinger joined Recycling Europe in December 2018. She is a fully qualified lawyer in Germany and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from George Mason University in Virginia. During her time in the United States, she interned with the World Bank’s Legal Vice Presidency in Washington, D.C. She also worked at a Brussels-based consultancy advising multinational companies on environmental, health and safety (EHS) matters. At Recycling Europe, Julia focuses on regulatory, policy and legal issues of importance to the recycling industry. She has served as Secretary General since April 2024.

Andrei Geica is the Founding Partner of Sporos Platform, an Article 9 SFDR-aligned impact investment fund accelerating the circular economy across Southeast Europe. He shapes investments in innovative startups developing circular solutions and SMEs transforming their business models toward circularity. Andrei works closely with all investees to design and implement Circular Transition Plans that reflect the latest technological and operational best practices, delivering measurable and verifiable positive environmental and social outcomes. He also built the fund’s Article 9 architecture, embedding the EU Taxonomy and EIF CA&ES standards into its investment strategy. 

With a background spanning EU green policy, entrepreneurship and sustainable finance, he combines strategic insight with active collaboration across Europe’s circular economy ecosystem, bridging policy, innovation and investment to deliver systemic transformation.

The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP) is an international nonprofit Think and Do tank that works with businesses, policy makers, partner organisations and civil society to deliver a good life.

Michael Kuhndt is the Founder and Executive Director of the CSCP, with more than 20 years' experience of international cooperation, development and sustainability. He has managed programmes for many multinational companies, ministries, European and UN organisations in the fields of: strategy development for sustainable supply chains and circular economy, development/set-up of a sustainable consumption approach, upscaling of sustainable business models, triple bottom line innovation, sustainable finance and policy strategies based on multiple stakeholders.

The European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) is an NGO founded in 1989 and based in Brussels. EBCD supports science-based solutions, full stakeholder participation, due consideration for the socio-economic aspects and respect for cultural diversity, while specialising in maritime affairs, fisheries, aquaculture and oceans governance. EBCD promotes the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, both in Europe and worldwide. It provides the secretariats of the MEP Group on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group and the Market Advisory Council of the Common Fisheries Policy. EBCD has been an active member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since it was established, falling under the international environmental NGO category.

Ilias joined EBCD in March 2018, and currently manages the MEP Group on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, while also serving as Deputy Director at EBCD. Prior to that, he worked in EU Affairs and Communication for a pharmaceutical association in Brussels and as a Communications Executive in Greece. Well-experienced in developing and executing strategic advocacy & outreach, Ilias also holds an MSc in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and a BA in International & EU Affairs from University of Macedonia, Greece. 

Throughout the years, he has received The Good Lobby 3rd place Award as ‘Political Representative of the Year’ (2019), CV Magazine ‘Best Environmental NGO in Belgium’ Award (2019), The Webby Awards ‘People’s Voice Award for Green Website’ (2017), and the International Public Relations Association Golden World Award for ‘Crisis Management’ (2016).

The EEB is the largest network of environmental citizens’ organisations in Europe. It currently consists of over 190 member organisations in 41 countries, including a growing number of networks, and represents some 30 million individual members and supporters.

At the EEB, Eva Bille leads the Circular Economy team, which is active in cross-cutting policy areas which influence the transition towards a truly circular economy.