From Knowledge to Action: Accelerating circular transition in cities and regions

Form of the event: hybrid

The transition to a circular economy requires more than ambitious strategies; it requires the knowledge, capacities, partnerships, governance models and practical tools to turn ambition into implementation. Across Europe, cities and regions are making progress, yet many continue to face common challenges in governance, financing, stakeholder engagement and delivery.

Taking place during the Circular Week 2026 in Warsaw, this interactive event will bring together policymakers, practitioners, businesses, researchers and organisations supporting the circular economy to exchange experiences, explore practical solutions and strengthen collaboration.

Drawing on the experience of the EU Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and related EU-funded projects, the event will showcase lessons learned from supporting cities and regions across Europe through knowledge development, mentoring, peer learning and practical implementation. Participants will explore proven approaches, governance models, practical tools and real-life examples that can help overcome common implementation challenges and accelerate the circular transition in their own territories.

Structured around the journey from knowledge generation to capacity development and practical implementation, the event will:

- Present key findings, recommendations and practical resources developed by the CCRI Knowledge Hub;

- Share experiences from the CCRI mentoring programme, highlighting how practical guidance and peer exchange helped address real implementation challenges in cities and regions;

- Showcase governance approaches, collaborative methods and practical tools emerging from the CCRI Communities of Practice;

- Facilitate peer exchange and collective reflection on future support needs for circular cities and regions;

- Build momentum for the European Sustainability Congress taking place the following day by fostering new connections and inspiring continued collaboration.

Participants will leave with practical insights, actionable ideas, useful resources and new connections to support circular economy initiatives in their own organisations and territories.

Target audience:  

- Public authorities at local, regional and national level.

- Regional development agencies and support organisations.

- Businesses, investors and innovation organisations.

- Researchers, universities and knowledge organisations.

- Civil society organisations, circular economy practitioners and experts.

- European and international circular economy networks and initiatives.

This event is jointly organised by the CCRI Knowledge Hub and the CCRI Communities of Practice, two complementary projects supporting the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and funded by the EU. Together, they support cities and regions through practical knowledge, mentoring and peer learning to accelerate the circular transition.

Please note: while the event is held in a hybrid format, the interactive workshop sessions are open to in-person participants only.

Draft Agenda:

11:45–12:30 (45 min)

Networking Lunch and Knowledge Marketplace Arrival

12:30–12:45 (15 min)

Welcome & setting the scene

Speaker:

• CCRI Knowledge Hub (Kveloce) & CCRI Communities of Practice (ICLEI)

12:45–13:10 (25 min)

The CCRI Initiative: How the EU is Supporting Circular Cities and Regions

Description: Introduction to the EU Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and related support offers

Speaker:

• European Commission, DG-Research and Innovation

13:10–13:35 (25 min)

Bridging the Circularity Gap: Policy Recommendations and Lessons Learnt for Local and Regional Implementation

Description: Presentation of key lessons, recommendations and practical resources emerging from the CCRI projects

Speaker:

• ALDA, ICLEI

13.35-14.30 (55 min)

CCRI Hands-on Workshop: Interactive Workshop – Part 1: Why Do Circular Projects Get Stuck?

* This session is available to in-person participants only

Description: Through real case studies from cities and regions, a live diagnostic and facilitated group discussions, participants will explore why circular economy implementation often stalls. Together, they will identify the governance, coordination and implementation challenges behind these barriers and uncover opportunities to move them forward.

Speaker:

• CCRI Communities of Practice - Climate KIC, ICLEI

14:30–15:00 (30 min)

Coffee Break & Knowledge Marketplace

Description: Explore posters, case studies / use cases and practical tools on public engagement, financing, technology, impact, governance and more.

Speaker:

• CCRI office, CCRI Knowledge Hub, CCRI Communities of Practice and EIB’s C3

15.00-15.50 (50 min)

CCRI Hands-on Workshop: Interactive workshop – Part 2: Turning Challenges into Action

* This session is available to in-person participants only.

Description: Working in groups, participants develop practical next steps for their own challenges using CCRI CoP tested approaches, governance methods and tools from European cities and regions.

Speaker:

• CCRI Communities of Practice - Climate KIC, ICLEI

15:50-16:35 (45 min)

Roundtable - Learning from Experience: How Cities and Regions Turned Ideas into Action

Description: Introduction to the CCRI Knowledge Hub mentoring program, followed by a discussion with mentors and participating cities and regions on challenges, solutions, lessons learned and recommendations for future support.

• Moderated by the University of Valencia and ICONS

16:35-16:50 (15 min)

Closing Reflections & Looking Ahead

Key takeaways

Speaker:

• CCRI Knowledge Hub and Communities of Practice