Leadership groups are set up by the ECESP Coordination Group (CG) based on the priorities identified for the current mandate. They are led by one or more CG members, and the members comprise other CG members and external stakeholders from the circular economy community. The leadership groups are organised around specific topics, with a view to bringing together experts and business operators to discuss circular aspects and policy implications.

The new leadership groups for the 2025-2028 mandate have now been set up. You can see the full description of what each one will focus on and what they aim to achieve in the Coordination Group Work Programme. 

We have changed the application procedure for this round: anyone interested in joining one of these groups should complete the EUSurvey form, giving their contact details and stating which leadership groups they wish to join and why. This form will be sent to the group leader, who will select applicants based on their area of interest, expertise and experience. The leader will also endeavour to ensure a good geographical balance of members. Applicants should have a background in the circular economy that is strategically relevant to the Platform, and they must be able to contribute to EU issues. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

• LG#1 - Transitioning to circular value chains

  Coordinated by: Academics for Circular Economy

  This leadership group will focus on the practical transition from linear to circular production systems by strengthening value chain collaboration in areas where systemic circularity can significantly strengthen resilience, reduce environmental impacts and support EU strategic priorities, particularly in sectors such as critical raw materials, plastics, textiles and the built environment.

  The group will focus on the following priorities:

  • Explore how overall resource use can be reduced and how resources can be extracted in a sustainable way,
  • Analyse how resources and materials can be kept in circulation longer through resource cascading, improved design, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishment, high-quality recycling and increased uptake of secondary raw materials,
  • Promote the role of transition brokers as trusted and fair facilitators who coordinate circular flows across companies and regions, facilitate cross-sector cooperation, connect supply and demand, coordinate data and knowledge flows and help overcome practical, regulatory and market barriers to circularity,
  • Advance the professionalisation of this role by strengthening cooperation between business and academia to support structured training, development and integration into value chain transformation.

• LG#2 - Advancing an integrated circular bioeconomy

  Coordinated by: INNOWO

  This leadership group will help accelerate the deployment and scaling of regenerative, circular solutions across Europe’s biological value chains.

  Building on the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the group will focus on strengthening the interconnections between biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, resilience, competitiveness and sustainable biobased value chains, ensuring that biobased activities operate within planetary boundaries and apply circular economy principles.

  The group will focus on the following priorities:

  • Connect stakeholders across sectors — producers, land managers, industry, researchers, cities and regions — to promote integrated solutions that reduce pressure on natural resources, restore ecosystems and improve resilience in the face of climate change, climate mitigation and adaptation and geostrategical shifts,
  • Explore synergies between circular bioeconomy practices and sustainable agrifood systems, including reducing food loss and waste, promoting soil health and strengthening local circular loops,
  • Accelerate the shift to sustainable, regenerative and circular use of biological resources across the EU value chain.

• LG#3 - Enabling an inclusive circular society

  Coordinated by: CSCP, Rediscovery Centre and Generation Climate Europe

  This leadership group will focus on advancing the social dimension of the circular transition, ensuring that circular economy policies and practices translate into quality jobs, fair access to skills, inclusive participation and a just transition for all communities. Building on EU priorities related to social equity, reskilling, behavioural change and the New European Bauhaus, the group will explore how circularity can strengthen social cohesion, wellbeing and cultural transformation.

  The group will focus on the following priorities:

  • Focus on just transition programmes, connecting circular principles with social fairness, decent work, territorial cohesion and community resilience,
  • Identify behavioural change and sustainable lifestyle shifts that are positive, accessible and affordable pathways for people and communities to participate in the circular transition, while also promoting responsible production and responsible consumption through education and infrastructure,
  • Integrate the role of culture, creativity and social innovation, demonstrating how circularity can enhance quality of life in urban and rural areas, activate local communities and support new cultural narratives that inspire change.

• LG#4 - Economic and financing instruments for the circular transition

  Coordinated by: Sporos

  This group will help mainstream circular thinking into finance, public spending and economic policy by enhancing education and capacity building for the financial sector. It aims to contribute to redefining competitiveness in terms of resource sufficiency, resilience, innovation capability and long-term value creation, positioning circularity as a strategic economic advantage for the EU. In addition, LG4 will analyse the need for intervention intended to maintain on the market the capacities and infrastructure that have already been developed and reduce the risks of bankruptcy, in a context where the return on investment remains a key indicator for entering and staying in the market.

  The group will focus on the following priorities:

  • How financial actors, policymakers at different levels and businesses can accelerate the uptake of circular models through targeted investment, economic instruments, mission-driven innovation and inclusive financing mechanisms that ensure that SMEs, social enterprises and vulnerable regions are not left behind,
  • Examine barriers such as a lack of data on circular performance, limited access or blockers to capital and fragmented market signals, and propose actionable solutions,
  • Identify the different categories of beneficiaries of support and what instruments they can access, not only to obtain financial aid but also to derisk their investments,
  • Promote and explain programmes such as REsourceEU, Horizon Europe and other EU financial instruments, with a focus on how targeted de-risking mechanisms can strengthen the bankability of circular business models and catalyse private investment.

• LG#5 - Increasing demand for European circular solutions

  Coordinated by: Circular Flanders

  This leadership group will focus on accelerating the uptake of circular solutions (products and services) by stimulating demand across public and private markets. Recognising that enhanced market pull is critical for scaling the European circular economy, LG5 will support the development and adoption of robust demand-side measures, including green and circular public procurement, market incentives and cross-sector collaboration to drive systemic change.

  The group will focus on the following priorities:

  • Address persistent barriers such as fragmented demand, lack of harmonised criteria, insufficient awareness among buyers, and limited access to scalable circular solutions,
  • Create the enabling conditions for sustained market growth, competitiveness and innovation in circular value chains by fostering dialogue between procurers, suppliers, policymakers and end-users,
  • Empower public authorities, large buyers and sectoral clusters to leverage their purchasing power, embed circularity in procurement strategies, and set ambitious yet practical targets for the uptake of circular products and services,
  • Identify whether minimum mandatory GPP criteria and targets were included in sectoral legislation and what their output was,
  • Explore ways to amplify private sector demand, promote voluntary agreements and support the mainstreaming of circular criteria in procurement and purchasing decisions across Europe.