Article
As part of the World Circular Economy Forum, WCEF Side Events will be organised throughout 2026. This list of events will be updated monthly.
Specialist, Sitra International Programmes
Published
12.1.2026
WCEF Side Events present circular economy solutions from around the globe. 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 2026, excluding during the programme of the annual forum WCEF2026. If you are interested in organising a side event, please submit your application by filling in the application form and sending it to contactus.wcef@sitra.fi. We process the applications twice a month. Please note it may take up to 3 weeks for us to process and upload the events on this list.
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.
This event shares experiences on circular economy development in Finland and Namibia. Keynote remarks and panel discussions cover circular economy opportunities in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors. The event is targeted for public sector representatives, private sector, academia and students.
Organisers: Embassy of Finland in Windhoek, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
Time: 8:00–14:00 (UTC +2)
This event brings together stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences in transitioning to a circular economy, showcase projects funded by the Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC), and explore opportunities for joint, concrete action, particularly on energy, water and waste management sectors.
Organisers: Embassy of Finland in Praetoria
Time: 9:00–14:30 (UTC +2)
What if the circular economy in Africa started from local realities as the foundation and not as an afterthought? We invite you to a highly interactive online session designed for deep listening, honest reflection and co-creation. This is a space to participate, question, unlearn and rebuild together.
Organisers: African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), Catalyst Now, Straight Circles and TheRoots
Time: 11:00–13:00 CAT (UTC+2)
The event shares hands-on insights from regional circular economy demos, combining plenary discussions on policy, digitalisation, business models and stakeholder engagement with validated results and transferable practices for plastics, batteries and bio-based side and waste streams.
Organiser: TREASoURcE Project, VTT (Technical Research Center of Finland)
Time: 10:00 – 17:00 UTC+3
FRUSH26 brings together companies and experts to examine the impact of ESG requirements on business. The event provides information, discussion and networking opportunities for anyone who wants to better understand the connections between comprehensive security and ESG, as well as their impact on business and society. The event language is Finnish.
Organiser: Forssan yrityskehitys Oy
Time: see separate programme on event website
The Innovation for circularity summit brings together industry leaders, startups, investors and policymakers to drive action on circular solutions, align innovation with finance and translate policy into real-world implementation across fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hospitality, textiles and built environments.
Organisers: PR Clean Energy Pvt Ltd., Climate Collective Foundation, EU-India Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Initiative (EU-IRECEI) and implemented by GIZ India
Time: 05:30 – 12:30 UTC+2
As part of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Eastern Region’s Export-Import (EXIM) Conference, the Finland-India Dialogue focuses on circular economy discussions between Finnish and Indian companies and governmental institutions in the leadup to the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in India.
Organisers: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
Time: 06:30 – 13:00 UTC+2
WCEF Side Events are part of the World Circular Economy Forum concept. The organisers of these events have an opportunity to present their circular economy solutions and engage international and local audiences. They also get to highlight their work in supporting the development of a circular economy.
All WCEF Side Events are independent events organised by one or more hosts. The hosts of each side event are responsible for all practicalities and expenses related to organising the event, including the virtual event platform and tools, possible venue, programme, invitations, registration, marketing and communications. Sitra will not be responsible for any practical arrangements or costs.
As the initiator of the WCEF concept, Sitra will promote the side events in WCEF newsletters and on social media, based on the information submitted by the side event host in the application form.
If you are interested in organising a WCEF Side Event, please submit your application to contactus.wcef@sitra.fi using the application form. New side events will be added to this list monthly.