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.

Circul’R was established in 2017 and is now a leading voice on the circular economy in France and internationally thanks to the close links it has established with all stakeholders: large companies, VSEs/SMEs, producer responsibility organisations (PROs), public institutions and local governments. Circul’R is firmly committed to supporting organisations - whether public or private - in their transition to circular models and modes of operation.

To achieve this mission, Circul’R works at three levels: 
1. Training - Raising awareness of the circular economy among managers and employees and enhancing their skills in this area.
2. Leading coalitions - Creating and leading coalitions of committed players to set new standards in circularity.
3. Consulting - Support private and public organisations in setting up circular economy projects, from roadmap to operations.

Circul'R has a team of 40 circular economy experts.

With over 10 years of experience in sustainability and the circular economy, Jean has worked across NGOs, public institutions and consulting. He started at the NGO GERES, supporting access to energy  projects, then joined ReLondon to coordinate circular economy initiatives for the Municipality of London, including the “London’s Food Footprint” study. At Circul’R, he now leads projects with private companies and public authorities in France and internationally, supporting the design and implementation of circular strategies. He actively facilitates dialogue between sectors to overcome barriers to circularity, notably through coalitions and collaborative projects. As part of the ECESP Coordination Group, he aims to foster cross-sectoral cooperation and share field insights to advance Europe’s circular transition.

The Rediscovery Centre is Ireland's national centre for the circular economy. Since 2004, the centre has been leading Ireland’s transition to a circular economy and low-carbon, sustainable future. Based in Europe’s first circular economy demonstration centre, the Rediscovery Centre acts as an innovation hub, delivering education, providing research and enabling policy, citizen engagement and collaboration to support community action. Recognising that a just transition requires a social movement, they use their skills and expertise to ensure that all people benefit from, and can participate in, the circular economy. Their work is supported by key strategic partners and includes a range of public engagement, education and research programmes, workshops and training courses across broad disciplines.

Appointed Chief Executive of the Rediscovery Centre in February, Claire brings over 20 years' experience in the sector to this role and is a dedicated advocate for circular living. Claire actively contributes to national and international policy development, groundbreaking circular economy research and education initiatives in Ireland and beyond, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management.

Sitra – The Finnish Innovation Fund is a pioneer in advancing the circular economy globally. As the initiator of the world’s first national circular economy road map, Sitra addresses societal challenges that shape our world. Their international programmes collaborate with partners to solve global challenges, enhance well-being and boost economic growth within the Earth’s carrying capacity. They drive systemic change through research, innovation and stakeholder collaboration. Promoting circular business models, skills, jobs and policies, they actively contribute to EU-level initiatives such as the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP). Globally, Sitra advances circularity through the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) and the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), a leading annual conference and global platform for knowledge exchange and partnership building, initiated by Sitra.

Kari Herlevi is Programme Director for Global Circular Economy at Sitra. He leads Sitra's international efforts to advance the circular economy, focusing on systemic change, foresight and cross-sectoral partnerships. Kari has played a key role in shaping global circular economy dialogues, including the WCEF and the EU CERC. With a background in sustainability and innovation policy, he works to align well-being and economic growth with planetary boundaries. Kari is a frequent speaker at international events and a driving force behind Sitra’s global initiatives to promote regenerative and inclusive circular solutions.

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.

Generation Climate Europe (GCE) is the largest coalition of youth-led networks at European level on climate and environmental topics, bringing together 381 national organisations across 46 countries in Europe.

Dario Barcella is the Coordinator of the Circular Economy Working Group at GCE, where he leads initiatives promoting inclusive circular economy policies, with a focus on textiles, food and critical raw materials.

Currently pursuing studies in sustainable development, he leverages his expertise in partnerships and international cooperation to address environmental policy and support the energy transition. Across these areas, Dario remains committed to ensuring that youth perspectives are integrated into every stage of the legislative process.

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 Clement joined ICLEI Europe in 2002. As Head of Circular Economy, he is responsible for ICLEI's activities in this field, including managing the European Circular Cities Declaration. For over 20 years he has worked for, and on behalf of, local, regional and national governments in project, policy and strategy development on sustainability issues such as circular economy, procurement, transport and smart cities.