SMEunited represents crafts and SMEs in Europe, with around 65 member organisations from over 30 European countries. It is a recognised cross-sectoral European social partner and speaks on behalf of the 26.1 million SMEs in Europe which employ more than 89 million people. SMEunited's work promotes the integration of circular principles into SME business models. It advocates for enabling policies and frameworks at all levels. It translates complex EU frameworks into actionable guidance for SMEs and provides decision makers with reality checks on boosters and blockers for SMEs' circular business models.

Andreas Brieger is Director for Climate, Energy and Environment Policy at SMEunited, representing European SMEs in the green transition. With extensive experience in EU and national public affairs, he previously worked for German and European social partners on climate, energy and economic policy. He is a member of the European Commission’s Ecodesign Forum and the Expert Group on Circular Economy / Sustainable Production and Consumption. A strong advocate for a fair and effective green transition, Andreas is passionate about making circularity a success story for people, SMEs and the planet.

Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, they ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, guaranteeing food security for half a billion people throughout Europe. Copa represents over 23 million farmers and their families whilst Cogeca represents the interests of 22 000 agricultural cooperatives. They have 66 member organisations from the EU Member States. Copa and Cogeca are among the founding members of the European Bioeconomy Alliance.

Oana Neagu is Director of the General Affairs team at Copa Cogeca. The team covers topics related to the circular economy and bioeconomy, the environment and climate change, research and innovation, food waste, etc. Oana is an agricultural engineer and has a Master’s degree in business administration. She previously worked at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture as a policy officer, in charge of managing market measures. Prior to joining the Commission in 2006, she was the adviser on European integration at the Ministry of Agriculture in Romania and was involved in preparing Romania’s accession to the European Union.

She is a member of the management committee of the multi-stakeholder platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU and actively involved in various expert groups on the bioeconomy, forestry and rural development.

RREUSE is Europe’s largest network of social enterprises active in the circular economy, with a focus on reuse, repair and recycling. 

Their mission is to empower, represent and support the social and circular enterprise community. They help drive its development by effecting positive change in European policy, facilitating the exchange of good practices and fostering meaningful partnerships. Their vision is an inclusive circular economy based on reuse and repair in solidarity with both people and the environment. 

RREUSE has 34 member organisations spread across 22 countries, including 18 EU Member States.

Jana joined RREUSE in 2016 and in her current role she leads network development. She is responsible for coordinating, developing and monitoring services for 30+ social economy networks and organisations implementing the circular economy transition on the ground. Her educational background is in natural science and recently, data analysis. In her spare time, Jana is a volunteer at Tournevie, a non-profit tool library in Brussels.

Circular Change (CC) is a Slovenia-based think and do tank connecting ideas, people and action. Since 2016, CC has been pioneering the circular and bioeconomy transition worldwide. From international Circular Change Conferences with 500+ participants to co-creating national roadmaps, Circular Academies and CE Hubs, CC turns vision into systemic impact. They integrate creative industries, science and policy, bridging bioeconomy and circular economy to co-create regenerative and inclusive futures. As co-creator of Transition Brokers and originators of Circular Diplomacy, CC promotes network governance and collaborative leadership. Active in EU projects and global dialogues, they bring a systemic, human and creative spirit to every transformation.

Ladeja Godina Košir is an internationally recognised systemic thinker and transition broker, and Founder and Executive Director of Circular Change. For eight years she was Co-Chair of the ECESP. She co-creates CE roadmaps, foresight exercises and hubs, advancing network governance and circular diplomacy across Europe and beyond. An inspiring keynote speaker, lecturer, author and board member, she bridges bioeconomy and circular economy in policy, business and culture. Ladeja led five Circular Change International Conferences, consulted governments from Serbia to Chile, and chaired the BIOeast Circular Bioeconomy Foresight 2050 Expert Group. She serves as Chair of the International Council of the CE Forum Austria, and Member of Chapter Zero Slovenia and other international CE boards. Finalist of the Circular Leadership Award 2018 (Davos WEF), featured in #EUwomen4future (2020) and recipient of the Elle Green Style Award 2025.

FEAD represents the private waste and resource management industry across Europe. Its members, national waste management associations and companies, operate across the entire value chain, including collection, sorting, recycling, recovery and disposal. FEAD brings together around 3 000 private waste management companies, which operate in 60% of Europe’s municipal waste markets and 75% of industrial and commercial waste, supporting over 500 000 local jobs. FEAD’s vision is to shift Europe's overall material use towards recycled materials, promoting sustainable waste management as a cornerstone of the circular economy, contributing to environmental protection, resource efficiency and climate goals.

Paolo Campanella is Secretary-General of FEAD, leading the organisation’s advocacy for a stronger and more coherent European legislative framework to support the circular economy. With over ten years of experience across multiple areas of the waste sector, including plant design, operational management, consultancy and public affairs, he brings a comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities. Trained as an environmental engineer, he has managed the design and permitting of waste treatment facilities and assessed project proposals within the public administration of the Province of Bari (Italy). He previously served as a board member of the Italian Association of Environmental Engineers. 

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.

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.