The closing conference for the Experimentation Journey on Achieving Circularity will be held on 11 September.
During the day you will:
- Learn about the project's key results and experiences
- Be inspired by concrete examples of circular transformation in practice
- Meet engaged stakeholders from different sectors and regions
- Exchange ideas, make new contacts and strengthen your network
- Gain new perspectives on how innovation can contribute to sustainable regional development
The event is being held as part of the EU Preparatory Action Initiative – Innovation for Place-Based Transformation, led by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) with support from the European Parliament.
The initiative engages over 200 European territories and aims to strengthen regions' capacity to design and implement transformative innovation policy, support experimental and participatory ways of working to address complex sustainability challenges, and contribute policy recommendations for the EU framework after 2027.
Over the past year, seven European regions have taken part in a joint policy-experimentation process focused on the circular economy — in particular, how demand for circular solutions can be created.
The work has explored, among other things:
- Public procurement as a strategic tool for circular markets
- Development of transformation teams across administrative boundaries
- Strengthened public–private collaboration
- Strengthened coordination between different levels of governance
The event in Avesta will be a platform for sharing experiences, insights and policy recommendations from the work. Region Dalarna is hosting the conference and has held the role of lead region in the process.
Agenda
Moderator: Josefina Sallén, Expert for circular business models at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden)
09:30–09:45 | Welcoming words
- Ms. Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
- Ms. Brigitta Sacrédeus, Chair of the Regional Development Committee, Dalarna Region
- Ms. Blerta Krenzi, Mayor of Avesta
09:45–11:00 | Co-creating a circular future together: how to make circularity a reality across Europe's regions and cities
- Setting the Scene: Experimentation Journey on Achieving Circularity — Ms. Carmen Sillero Illanes, Senior Economy and Policy Analyst, Joint Research Centre
- Coffee dialogue bringing European, national and regional perspectives together: Mikel Irujo (Navarra, Spain), Sophie Gaugain (Normandy Region, tbc), Mattias Philipsson (Swedish delegation for circular economy), representative from Vinnova
11:00–11:45 | Making the case for circular construction from local pilot experimentation — moderated by Ms. Nadine Aschenbach, Dalarna Region
- Ms. Anna Karin Stoltz, CCBuild/IVL
- Jonn Are Myhren, Researcher and Associate Professor of Construction Technology, Dalarna University
- Mr. Mattias Brännström, Technical Director, Dalahusgruppen
- Mr. Henrik Navjord, CEO Hushagen and member of the Procurement Dialogue Dalarna
- Ms. Gabriella Hagman, CEO Mondo Arkitekter and chair of Byggdialog Dalarna (construction cluster)
11:45–12:00 | Coffee break
12:00–12:50 | Panel discussions and Q&A with the audience
First round – Enhancing multi-level governance, moderated by Ms. Birgitta Sacrédeus:
- Mr. Heikki Sirviö, East and North Finland
- Ms. Delia Sola, Navarra Region
- Ms. Minna Takala, Kanta-Häme, Finland
- Ms. Mathilde Yver, Normandy Region (tbc)
- Representative from Tillväxtverket (Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth)
Second round – Co-creating the circular future together: strengthening public-private collaboration, moderated by Astrid Hannes, Head of Projects, ERRIN:
- Zoi Apostolina, Central Macedonia Region, Greece
- Rafael Ataz, INFOMURCIA, Murcia Region
- Lucie Blondel, Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Sofie Jutner, Viable Cities, Municipality of Avesta
- Sara Övreby, Policy Director, Google Sweden
12:50–13:00 | Future avenues for territorial [transformation]
For more information and registration, contact: [email protected]
