BECOME (Boosting Circular Economy Expertise through Learning Communities) has the objective of fostering the circular skills of future experts in the circular economy. To address the need for a transition towards a circular economy (CE), we are going to reinforce the cooperation between education (i.e., HEI and VET) and labour market actors to educate current and future professionals to be able to develop viable solutions for the circular economy and its respective business models. This will be achieved through building strong circular economy learning communities or “Circular Hubs” in which experts engage in training activities, share state-of-the-art knowledge and best practices to boost the essential aim of educating future experts in this domain.
BECOME combines the expertise of two VETs, four HEIs, and four labour market actors from four European countries: Finland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Slovenia. The consortium pursues the following activities:
- Analysis of Regional CE Ecosystems and Learning Communities;
- Development of CE Learning Building Blocks;
- Fostering CE Skills for Professionals;
- Creation and Exploitation of Learning Communities on Circular Economy in Europe;
- Piloting, Monitoring and Evaluation of CE Learning Outcomes.
Project partners:
- Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS), Finland
- HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU), Netherlands
- The University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski” (UMG), Bulgaria
- ROCMN, Netherlands
- Raision seudun koulutuskuntayhtymä (Raseko), Finland
- Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto Oy (LSJH), Finland
- Heijmans Nederland BV (Heijmans), Netherlands
- Dundee Precious Metals Chelopech (DPMC), Bulgaria
- Interzero d.o.o., Slovenia
Website: https://becomeproject.eu/
About the Circular Economy Learning Community Hub
Hosted by IEDC-Bled School of Management, the hub aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by addressing the challenges of transitioning to a Circular Economy. Our focus includes:
- Training the Trainers – Providing educators and practitioners with advanced tools and methodologies in Circular Economy.
- Hands-On Learning – Facilitating workshops and projects that address real industry challenges.
- Collaborative Engagement – Strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to foster impactful solutions.
Why Join?
- Engage with a network of experts and practitioners in Circular Economy.
- Access cutting-edge insights, tools, and methodologies.
- Contribute to bridging the gap between theory and practice, education and action.
We invite educators, business leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate and drive meaningful change through the BECOME Learning Community.
Register here: https://iedc.si/forms/join-become/
Circular Economy Hub Learning Community: Events & Agenda
Webinar 1 - March 12, 2025
Kickoff: Moving Together Towards a Circular Future
Focus on project goals, expectations, and the start of the Circular Economy Hub network.
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Webinar 2 - April 1, 2025
Connecting Sectors, Unlocking Potential: Practical Approaches to Collaboration
Explore challenges and opportunities in cross-sector cooperation to drive the circular economy.
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AGENDA
Webinar 3 - May 6, 2025
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Practical Insights from Businesses, NGOs, and Education
Learn perspectives and solutions for effective collaboration across various fields.
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Webinar 4 - June 3, 2025
Education in Focus: Success Stories for Circular Approaches in Schools and Universities
Discover how educational institutions contribute to the circular economy through innovative approaches.
Webinar 5 - July 1, 2025
NGOs as Drivers of the Circular Economy: Success Stories and Strategies
Gain practical insights and strategies from NGOs leading circular economy initiatives.
Webinar 6 - August 5, 2025
Industry and the Circular Economy: Best Practices and Challenges
Hear corporate perspectives on implementing circular models and overcoming challenges.
Webinar 7 - September 2, 2025
Strengthening Collaboration: Methods and Tools for Cross-Sector Cooperation
Participate in interactive workshops featuring tools and techniques to enhance cross-sector collaboration.
Webinar 8 - October 7, 2025
AI-Powered Circular Economy: Unlocking New Opportunities
Discover how AI can transform resource efficiency, predictive maintenance, and waste reduction, supported by real-world case studies.
Webinar 9 - November 24, 2025
"The road to circularity: Lumar’s pathway to impact."
Learn about Lumar's business model, their path to sustainability, and circular design. Most importantly, hear about how the company's vision and values help guide their sustainability journey and future plans. Lumar's approach includes not only creating sustainable products but also incorporating sustainability into their business models and operations. The presentation shared highlights, challenges, benefits, and success stories that can inspire us all.
Speaker: Nataša Teraž Krois, Head of development and sustainability, Lumar, Slovenia.
Webinar - December 16, 2025
"Donat – circular economy implementation in practice"
Explore with us the Donat approach, their shift to 100 % recycled PET bottles, and how this commitment guides all their brands. The insights from consumer research on what people expect from environmentally friendly packaging will be shared and discussed.
Speaker: Iva Starc, a digital marketing specialist at BU Donat, Atlantic Grupa, Croatia
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