The Circular Way to Inclusion
Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Project Duration: 2021–2023
Partners: EIVA (Romania), Asociación Cultural Somos Europa (Spain), Youth Europe Service (Italy), and Futuro Digitale (Italy)
Website: https://thecircularway.eu
Objectives
Educate and Engage: Increase awareness and understanding of the circular economy among young people.
Skill Development: Provide training and resources to equip youth with the competencies needed to implement circular practices.
Community Activation: Foster local initiatives that embody circular economy principles, encouraging active youth participation.
International Collaboration: Strengthen cooperation among European organizations to share best practices and develop unified strategies for sustainability.
Activities and Achievements
Research and Analysis
The project began with comprehensive research to assess the current state of the circular economy in partner countries. This analysis informed the development of tailored training materials and strategies.
Development of Educational Resources
A suite of educational materials, including manuals and toolkits, was created to facilitate understanding and implementation of circular economy concepts. These resources were designed to be accessible and practical for youth and educators alike.
Training Programs
A series of training sessions and workshops were conducted across partner countries, focusing on:
Fundamentals of the circular economy
Practical applications and case studies
Project development and management skills
Community engagement strategies
Local Initiatives
Youth participants were encouraged and supported to develop and implement local projects that applied circular economy principles. These initiatives addressed various community needs, from waste reduction to sustainable product design.
Dissemination and Networking
The project facilitated numerous events, both online and offline, to share knowledge, experiences, and outcomes. A dedicated website (thecircularway.eu) was launched to serve as a hub for resources, news, and networking opportunities.
Impact
Enhanced Knowledge: Hundreds of young people gained a deeper understanding of the circular economy and its importance for sustainable development.
Skill Acquisition: Participants developed valuable skills in project management, problem-solving, and innovative thinking.
Community Engagement: Local projects led to tangible improvements in communities, fostering a culture of sustainability and cooperation.
Strengthened Partnerships: The collaboration among partner organizations resulted in a robust network committed to ongoing efforts in promoting the circular economy.
About the partners
EIVA
Romania
A non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering youth through education, volunteering, and community development initiatives. EIVA focuses on fostering active citizenship and sustainable practices.
Circular Economy Portugal
Portugal
Circular Economy Portugal (CEP) is a non-profit environmental NGO with the aim to stimulate the transition to a circular economy and create a society without waste. To achieve this, CEP shares knowledge about circular economy, builds capacity to help public/private organisations implement circular strategies, and raises awareness among a wide audience.
Fundación Paideia Galiza
Spain
Fundación Paideia Galiza was founded in 1986 as a space for debate and thought on human and social sciences. Throughtout this time, it has been consolidating and expanding through initiatives that try to have a positive impact on the Galician social environment. The foundation focuses its activity on the following work axes: disability and employment, youth and mobility, entrepreneurship, territorial development and training and dissemination.
Impact Hub Liepāja
Latvia
Impact HUB Liepāja team has almost 15 years of experience in business (from supporting training companies to international management consulting) and working to support young people.
Concello de Santiago
Spain
The Department of Youth is presented as an axis in which a series of proposals are structured to provide plural and accessible services to the youngest people and their organized expressions, to promote education in values and the work to deal with situations of discrimination.
The Circular Way project concluded successfully, leaving a legacy of empowered youth and sustainable initiatives. The resources and experiences developed continue to inspire and guide efforts toward a circular economy.
For more information and access to project materials, visit the official website: thecircularway.eu
Some pictures from the project
