WCEF Side Events present circular economy solutions from around the globe and attract an international audience. They address specific topics related to the circular economy and the role circularity plays in the economies of the future, as well as in the fight against climate change and the nature crisis.

Side events can take place any time during 2022, excluding the days of the annual event WCEF2022, the place and time of which will be announced later. If you are interested in organising a WCEF Side Event, please submit your application by filling in the application form. Please note that it takes us a few days to process the arriving applications.

The organisers are responsible for all practicalities, expenses and inquiries related to organising and participating in the side events. Side events may be organised either virtually or locally, depending on the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday 13 July

Circular SMEs across Europe: food and nutrients

This event introduces European companies that work with biodegradable resources in a circular economy. We will hear about practical experiences at the interface of food and the circular economy and participate in a panel discussion with several pioneers of the movement.

Organisers: INNOWO, ZENIT, Enterprise Europe Network and the Green Economy Network North-Rhine Westphalia
Time: 11:00-12:00 UTC+3

Vision for a circular energy sector in Nigeria

The energy sector remains a significant contributor to GHG emissions. Some African countries still battle with energy supply and access. Join us to discuss policy, governance and projects to improve access to affordable and clean energy sources with a focus on Nigeria.

Organisers: African Circular Economy Network (Nigerian Chapter) and Ampak Nigeria Limited
Time: 15:00-18.00 UTC+3

Thursday 21 July

Circular economy policies and legislations: experiences from emerging economies

This event entails discussions around the need for circular economy legislation in emerging economies, the barriers and enablers of such legislation, as well as the benefits of implementing them. The aim of the event is to foster such discussions in the developing world.

Organisers: Circular Innovation Lab (CIL) and Chatham House
Time: 16:00-18:00 UTC+3

Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 September

Circular Economy Hotspot

The Circular Economy Hotspot will be held in North-Rhine Westphalia. Discuss the circular economy, conservation of resources and efficiency enhancements with world-renowned experts from business, politics, science and public initiatives, and gain insights through practical examples.

Organiser: City of Bottrop
Time: see separate programme on event website

Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 September

Circular materials at the Materials Science and Engineering Conference 2022

Materials science faces challenges in the circular economy. All steps in the circular economy of materials will be covered in seven symposia, from resource-efficient production of semi-finished parts via material and product design to their use, re-use and recycling.

Organiser: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V.
Time: 10:00-19:00 UTC+2

Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 October

The 5th Indonesia Circular  Economy Forum 2022

The Indonesia Circular Economy Forum (ICEF) brings together stakeholders active in the broad field of the circular economy in Indonesia. As a platform, it goes beyond sectoral activities and highlights cross-sector opportunities.

Organiser: Greeneration Foundation
Time: see separate programme on the event website

Monday 31 October

Launch of the state-of-the-art analysis on Nordic circularity

The Nordic Network for Circular Construction project is producing a state-of-the-art analysis on the circularity of the Nordic construction markets. At this event you will hear the key findings of the analysis and an expert commentary on how the findings can be implemented.

Organiser: Green Building Council Finland
Time: 13:00-15:00 UTC+2

Past 2022 events

Tuesday 1 February

Circular business models: overcoming barriers & unleashing potentials

A successful adoption of circular business models is crucial to trigger the transformation process of industries towards a circular economy. This event fosters a dialogue among experts and shares insights on successful cases.

Organiser: Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland / acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering
Time: 10:00-11:30 UTC+2

Wednesday 2 February

Road maps towards circularity – experiences from the Netherlands, the Nordics and Germany

The German circular economy road map outlines the key elements for a transition towards circularity. This panel discussion with EU experts will provide insights on the implementation of circular strategies and how the necessary co-operation across countries can be fostered.

Organiser: Circular Economy Initiative Deutschland / acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering
Time: 10:00-11:30 UTC+2

Tuesday 15 February

The role of sustainable waste management in building a low-carbon, closed-cycle economy

This roundtable brings together European and Russian experts in ecology, ESG, solid waste management and carbon neutrality. The target is to sign the St. Petersburg Carbon Declaration on the creation of the innovative international Baltic Carbon Research Center.

Organiser: St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise – St. Petersburg Information and Analytical Centre
Time: 13:00-16:00 UTC+2

Wednesday 16 February

Request for Information (RFI) roundtable discussion

REMADE’s Request for Information (RFI) roundtable discussion aims to turbocharge the US manufacturing industry’s transition to a circular economy. The roundtable is open to everyone! Innovators with industry, academia, government and non-profits are especially encouraged to attend.

Organiser: REMADE Institute
Time: 21:00-23:00 UTC+2

Thursday 18 February

Circular SMEs across Europe: mechanical engineering in a circular economy

The virtual circular economy journey of the Green Economy Network NRW has set out to find European best practice examples that take a circular approach to mechanical engineering. This event showcases the best practices from small and medium-sized companies.

Organisers: Prosperkolleg and the Green Economy Network North-Rhine Westphalia
Time: 11:00-13:00 UTC+2

Wednesday 23 February

Data-enabled circular cities: applications and future directions

How can we harness the potential of data for the public good? In this webinar, experts and practitioners will demonstrate a set of IT solutions and discuss how digital technology is rapidly becoming a key enabler for unlocking the value from circular economy strategies.

Organiser: REFLOW – Horizon 2020 project
Time: 13:00-14:00 UTC+2

Tuesday 1 March

Report launch: prospects for transitioning from a linear to circular economy in developing Asia

The editors and a panel of contributors will discuss circular economy principles, opportunities and challenges, and policy recommendations for promoting circularity and greater sustainable development in the region.

Organisers: Sitra and the Asian Development Bank Institute
Time: 9:00-10:00 UTC+2

Monday 14 to Friday 18 March

Second Turkey Circular Economy Week (II TCEW)

Experts will discuss topics like sustainable development goals, global experiences in green economy transformation, the European Green Deal, carbon border adjustment mechanism, circular economy solutions, clean technology and innovation, fair transition, and circular cities.

Organisers: Business World and Sustainable Development Association (SKD Turkey), Business For Goals and D Cube
Time: see separate programme on the event website

Thursday 24 March

Circular economy – a powerful tool for turning the tide on biodiversity loss

This event explores the potential of a circular economy to tackle biodiversity loss, including the role it can play in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and to address SDG targets 7 (pollution), 10 (sustainable agriculture and forestry), 15 (businesses) and 16 (consumption). The event is also a Convention on Biological Diversity side event.

Organisers: Sitra, the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and the European Commission
Time: 14:15-15:45 UTC+2

Friday 25 March

How to create a sustainable company

Circular economy approaches can help companies seize new opportunities and gain competitive advantages. Join this event to learn how to create sustainable and responsible CSR partnerships. Event language is Spanish.

Organiser: Asociación Fundadoras
Time: 13:30-14:30 UTC+2

Wednesday 30 March

Circular Cities Conference: REFLOW and Beyond virtual day

This event zooms in on the different responsibilities of research, industry, the FabLab movement, politics and citizens. It highlights how these actors can and need to work together to enable the transition of European cities towards circular and regenerative practices.

Organisers: REFLOW EU Project and the Copenhagen Business School
Time: 10:00-16:00 UTC+3

Thursday 31 March

Circular Cities Conference: REFLOW and Beyond live day

REFLOW has worked with a range of fields and developed solutions for six distinct materials. The solutions will be presented and discussed, including how these approaches were used during the development and implementation of the solutions and how they can be scaled.

Organisers: REFLOW EU Project and the Copenhagen Business School
Time: 10:00-18:30 UTC+3

Thursday 31 to Friday 1 April

Research seminar: tackling manufacturing pollution in the South

This seminar will discuss themes related to the pursuit of SDG 12 in developing countries, especially as growing trade integration and economic diversification cast a shadow of pollution linked to local production. Cases will be discussed for plastics and tanneries.

Organiser: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Time: 10:00-13:15 UTC+3

Tuesday 5 April

Assessing the social impact of circular strategies in the apparel value chain through a gender-inclusion lens

The webinar examines how circularity in the apparel value chain impacts society in the Netherlands. We will also introduce the Social Impact Assessment Framework for Circular Economy, SIAF-CE⚥, which assesses social impacts for workers and communities.

Organiser: Utrecht University
Time: 14:00-15:00 UTC+3

Wednesday 6 April

Institutional arrangements for the circular economy and the sustainable use of natural resources

The public sector and others will discuss synergies between the different governmental institutions and share best practices on basic administrative requirements for circular economy policymaking. The event will launch a new multi-stakeholder platform.

Organiser: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Time: 18:15-19:30 UTC+3

Thursday 28 April

Frush

With local and international speakers, pitch competitions and panel discussions, the fourth annual FRUSH facilitates cooperation between growth-oriented entrepreneurs, startups, investors and research institutes, and aims to accelerate the circular economy.

Organisers: Häme University of Applied Sciences and Forssan Yrityskehitys Oy
Time: 9:00-18:00 UTC+3

Monday 2 to Sunday 8 May

Circular City Week New York

The biggest circular economy festival in the US, Circular City Week New York, is a free and collaborative festival for circular economy related events. Activities during the week emphasise how circular practices such as reuse, recycling and upcycling are transforming urban industries.

Organiser: Danish Cleantech Hub
Time: see separate programme on the event website

Monday 16 May

Addressing international impacts of the Dutch circular economy transition

The seminar will present and discuss the key messages of a new PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency policy brief on the risks and opportunities of the Dutch circular economy transition for low- and middle-income countries.

Organiser: PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
Time: 16:00-17:30 UTC+3

Tuesday 17 May

The France-Finland conference on the circular economy 2022

What is needed to create a circular economy that brings us towards a resilient and sustainable society? This event brings together Franco-Finnish speakers and experts on the circular economy and sustainability science, coming from different research disciplines and sectors.

Organisers: Embassy of France to Finland, Institut Français of Finland, CERDI (CNRS/UCA), European Centre of Excellence on Sustainability and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.
Time: 15:00-16:30 UTC+3

Tuesday 24 May

Investing in the sub-Saharan circular economy

This is a half-day event about circular economy entrepreneurship in sSub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on Rwanda. At the event, you’ll hear from trailblazing entrepreneurs, industry experts, policy makers, and investors.

Organiser: BESTSELLER Foundation
Time: 14:00-18:30 UTC+3

Circular SMEs across Europe: ICT & electronics

During our virtual tour of Europe we will stop to meet companies that work with electronics in a circular economy. We will hear hands-on experiences from various angles at the interface of electronics and the circular economy and engage in a panel discussion with these pioneers.

Organisers: Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Circular Flanders, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and the Green Economy Network North-Rhine Westphalia
Time: 15:00-17:00 UTC+3

Wednesday 25 May

Enhancing the contribution of MSMEs in the facilitation of the circular economy transition & green post-COVID 19 resurgence

Join us to discuss recent trends in the circular economy agenda and its role in socio-economic development in the UNECE region. We will explore policy measures and practices to promote micro-SME business opportunities and models based on circular economy principles.

Organisers: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, CIRCULAR STEP
Time: 12:00-14:00 UTC+3

Wednesday 1 June

S-Moving, a transition to efficient urban mobility

This international online event promotes and debates the different points of view on a green energy transition for sustainable, ecological and efficient urban transport. We will try to inspire other companies to adopt sustainable energy. The event language is Spanish.

Organisers: Finnova and Fymca
Time: 17:00-19:00 UTC+3

Thursday 2 June

Business models and innovation for sustainability transition

Business models enable systemic change and transformation. Come learn how innovation, behavioural change, sustainable funding, corporate responsibility and social justice can be part of sustainable business models.

Organiser: Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Time: 13:00-16:30 UTC+3

Green cities: follow us to the new era

This event will bring together actors in sustainable urban management to share knowledge and experiences that inspire the future of governance, transport and territories. This is a benchmark program in terms of research, experiences, success stories and analysis solutions. The event language is Spanish.

Organisers: Finnova and Fymca
Time: 17:00-19:00 UTC+3

10th annual Sustainability Leadership awards

Learn how businesses are implementing sustainability projects, communicating their sustainability goals and reporting their progress to customers and stakeholders for greatest impact. Meet, network and share knowledge with industry leaders and professionals.

Organiser: Sustainability Leadership
Time: 20:00-01:00 UTC+3

Monday 13 June

Tackling root causes: halting biodiversity loss through the circular economy

A circular economy plays a key role in halting and reversing global biodiversity loss. At this webinar we will discuss the findings of Sitra’s new study and its linkages to key business and policy measures.

Organiser: Sitra
Time: 10:00-11:00 UTC+3

Monday 13 to Tuesday 14 June

Arctic Circular Economy Forum 2022

ACEF 2022 offers interesting and timely discussion on the circular economy in the Arctic region. The programme covers the Finnish industrial circular economy scene. Join us for networking live at Kemi, Finland! The event language is Finnish.

Organisers: Digipolis, Sitra and others
Time: see separate programme on the event website

Monday 13 to Friday 17 June

Circular Economy Week 2022

The fifth annual Circular Economy Week (#CEweek2022) is a showcase and celebration of the work being done to accelerate cities’ transition to a low-carbon circular economy. This year we will focus on rebuilding the economy, jobs and skills in a better, more sustainable way.

Organiser: ReLondon
Time: see separate programme on event site

Thursday 23 June

Womanation Congress

The aim of the congress is to promote the culture and practices of the sustainable economy and social responsibility for the common good. It includes the implementation and promotion of certain Sustainable Development Goals. The event language is Spanish.

Organisers: Mesa de la Ingeniería Valenciana, TalentGrowth Management and Finnova
Time: 10:30-20:30 UTC+3

About

WCEF Side Events are part of the World Circular Economy Forum concept. The organisers of these side events have an opportunity to present their circular economy solutions and engage an international and local audience. They also get to highlight their work in supporting the development of a circular economy.

In the beginning, side events were organised in close proximity to the annual WCEF conference. The WCEF concept has since been updated and selected additional events will be held between the annual WCEF conferences. The annual WCEF2022 conference will take place in the second half of the year.

At the moment, countries all over the world are still struggling with an economic downturn caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep people inspired and the discussions around the circular economy ongoing, a number of WCEF Side Events will be organised during 2022.