Climate KIC launches new Circularity Thinking training programme
Climate KIC is launching Circularity Thinking courses to tackle climate change through the implementation of circular strategies – creating skills and knowledge to understand why and how circular strategies can be effective. The courses are aimed at stakeholders and practitioners of the Slovenian Deep Demonstration project led by Climate KIC with nine Slovene ministries.
Climate KIC has developed a new approach to thinking about circular economy focused on implementing change. The approach is based on the research of Professor Dr. Fenna Blomsma (University of Hamburg), following a feasibility study in which 150 organisations were surveyed to find out what gaps and needs exist in terms of circular knowledge.
Climate KIC Circularity Thinking training programme was developed from the results of this study. Most respondents wanted to learn about how successful organisations deliver aspects of the circular economy, and how they identified and overcame challenges.
The two courses are currently open to practitioners and stakeholders engaged with the Circular, Regenerative Economies Deep Demonstration in Slovenia:
- Circularity Thinking – Train-the-Stakeholders, Slovenia Deep Demonstration
This training is designed for individuals who need an understanding of how circular economy tools and approaches can be used in developing strategies, policies and plans. It is particularly useful for individuals working in municipalities and governments, as well as business associations working at the national level, to understand how to support the transition to a circular society. It considers the complexities of systems and how the perspectives of different stakeholders need to be taken into account.
- Circularity Thinking – Train-the-Practitioners, Slovenia Deep Demonstration
This training uses the tools of Circularity Thinking to analyse resource use in the packaging sector. The course is relevant to a range of roles such as product designers, engineers and project managers, as well as related professions such as sales in the packaging sector. Case studies are used to show how existing linear approaches can be modified to develop circular strategies.
Circularity Thinking Approach
Circularity Thinking is not just a set of tools but creates a circular mindset by exploring the problems of a linear approach and then developing circular strategies that solve linear problems.
Circularity Thinking training requires reframing a problem (‘problem space’) to see what the challenge is. The idea is to map the current system to understand the context of the problems. The process then moves to a ‘solution space’ where practitioners identify circular strategies that can support change. Since multiple strategies are possible, the process identifies strategies that connect and support the goals and consider the role of different stakeholders in delivering the new action plan.
Building a Circularity Thinking Community
Climate KIC supports a growing community of trainers and practitioners who will contribute to the application of Circularity Thinking in many new and existing activities.
A new community platform brings people together to develop new ideas for Circularity Thinking and to collaborate on new activities. It allows project leaders to implement Circularity Thinking into existing projects or plan the methodology as a central approach for new activities.
Trained users can receive accreditation after demonstrating their expertise in using and applying Circularity Thinking tools.
Click here to learn more about the Circularity Thinking programme at Climate KIC.