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.

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.

Romina Giovannetti joined Ecoembes in 2019 as Head of EU Public Affairs. She has 20 years' experience in public policy and communications in Brussels, together with a track record in journalism in South America.
 
Romina previously served as Public Affairs Associate Director at the consultancy Weber Shandwick. With expertise in European funding and industrial and environmental policy, she acted as advisor to a number of associations, corporations and NGOs.
 
Prior to that, Romina worked with a number of Brussels-based associations, spearheading their employment, sustainability and transport dossiers. She spent the early part of her career as a news reporter and editor in Argentina’s leading media group Clarín.
 
Ecoembes is a non-profit organisation that cares for the environment through recycling and the eco-design of packaging in Spain. While implementing Extended Producer Responsibility, it engages collaboratively with individuals, public authorities and companies so as to improve the environmental impact of household packaging.

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.

Ladeja Godina Košir, Founder and Executive Director of Circular Change, is an internationally renowned expert on the circular economy, speaker, (co)author of several CE reports and articles, and co-creator of international circular economy events. Ladeja was the finalist for the Circular Leadership Award 2018 (Davos WEF) and named in "The #EUwomen4future campaign” featuring extraordinary women active in research, innovation, education, culture and sport by Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth in 2020. She is recognised as the regional "engine of circular economy transition". She is co-author of the first Roadmap towards the Circular Economy and creator and team leader of the annual international Circular Change Conference. Ladeja has consulted on the national circular economy roadmapping process based on stakeholder engagement for several countries and cities (Serbia, Montenegro, Norway, Israel, Chile, etc.).

Ladeja has several international roles: chair of the coordination group of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) in Brussels (2018/20), visiting professor at Doshisha University in Kyoto and co-leader of the Research Group Circular Economy Systems at the Bertalanfy Center for the Study of Systems Science (BCSSS) in Vienna.

Ladeja takes a transdisciplinary systemic approach and holistic view as an entrepreneur, communications professional, speaker, moderator, lecturer, mentor and passionate connector. She is empowering a new narrative and circular culture. She bridges the bioeconomy and the circular economy; one of the EU projects to which she contributes is Effective (Horizon 2020 & BBI JU), a multi-company collaboration to produce more sustainable, bio-based fibres and plastics for large consumer products using renewable feedstocks and innovative technologies. She also chairs the expert group for the BIOeast Foresight Exercise 2050. Ladeja works with governments, city authorities, companies, NGOs, media and universities, empowering true collaboration to enable circular change.

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).

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.

IndustriALL Global Union represents 50 million workers in 130 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors and is a force in global solidarity taking up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world.

Aske is a leader and engineer within the field of the circular economy, with a focus on waste management. He combines deep technical knowledge with experience from boards of large companies and public affairs work. With a background in the public sector, NGOs and private companies, Aske spans the multiple perspectives of the many actors in a circular economy.

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.

Kari Herlevi is a circular economy multitalent. He is currently leading the circular economy area at Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund. There, he is focusing on the transition to a fair and competitive economy that tackles the root causes of biodiversity loss, climate change and overconsumption of resources, by facilitating the development and scaling up of the best circular solutions from Finland and the world. Previously, he worked at Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, where he was responsible for the Green Growth and Vigo accelerator programmes. Kari also worked in the Tekes Silicon Valley office for a few years, and is particularly interested in new ideas and fast-growing firms in the circular economy, not least on the African continent.