Main goal

Due to a growing environmental pressure on rural SMEs to adopt circularity and sustainability practices, and also to a high demand for experts, innovation and digitalization, the project aims to increase the capacity of the HEI partners to provide high quality education in the field of Circular Economy (CE). In collaboration with SMEs, a digital platform will be designed to increase students’ employability and to upgrade their professional, innovation and entrepreneurial skills in this area.

Main activities

• Development of an innovative web-based platform for Circular Economy
• A blended training programme for teaching staff, to integrate the Circular Economy platform in teaching activities
• An integrated programme for students (online courses on the platform; on-site visits at rural SMEs; workshops; counselling; project development)
• A Summer School and dissemination activities, to create a community of actors committed to Circular Economy and Sustainability

Main results

• A framework of most relevant CE indicators, applicable in rural activities
• A platform for CE, used by both HEIs and SMEs
• At least 25 teachers trained on CE
• At least 125 students trained on CE, with improved innovation and entrepreneurial skills
• Increased awareness on circularity and sustainability issues

On long term, the reinforced collaboration between HEIs and SMEs in project countries is expected to generate innovation and new circular businesses.