In an era marked by urgent environmental challenges and the growing need for social inclusion, the “Circular City Through Educational Circular Economy Methods for Social Enterprises” (CIRC) project stands out as an innovative effort to reshape adult education across Europe. Funded by the ERASMUS+ programme of the European Union, CIRC blends circular economy principles with social entrepreneurship to provide accessible, inclusive training specifically aimed at adults who face social and economic exclusion. By equipping these learners with practical knowledge and skills in sustainability, the project fosters green employment opportunities and community-led social innovation.
At its core, CIRC recognises that advancing the circular economy goes hand in hand with promoting social inclusion and resilience. The initiative targets adults at risk of exclusion, such as those with low incomes, limited formal education, or migrant backgrounds, helping them to explore sustainable career pathways and the creation of circular social enterprises. Through its cooperation partnerships in Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Poland, and the Netherlands, CIRC develops educational tools that integrate the circular economy with social entrepreneurship, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and inclusive learning.
One of the project’s key achievements is the development of a comprehensive CIRC Guide that serves as a strategic resource for adult educators working in the fields of circular and social economy. This guide provides fundamental knowledge and practical methods to enhance educational programs, contextualising circular economy concepts within policies and real-world applications. It explores themes such as the role of social enterprises as hubs of integration, innovation, and resilience, the interconnectedness of social and circular economies, and the importance of collaborative innovation through the quadruple helix model. The guide also highlights the vital role of education in building sustainability, social economy skills, and green jobs.
Complementing the guide is a specially designed modular training format for adult educators that blends circular economy content with inclusive, experiential learning approaches. The training emphasises sensitisation around empathy, awareness, and intercultural inclusion, combined with practical know-how on eco-design, reuse, and sustainable practices. By adopting a “learning by doing” philosophy, the training engages participants through workshops, storytelling, field visits, and upcycling labs—making the principles of the circular economy tangible and actionable.
To further support knowledge exchange and community-building, CIRC has launched an interactive Hub Platform that connects educators, learners, and social enterprises across Europe. This digital space offers downloadable tools, opportunities for networking, and access to project events and updates. Prior to its official launch, the platform underwent extensive testing in all partner countries, involving adult educators, trainers, and key community stakeholders. Feedback from these sessions was instrumental in refining the platform’s usability and relevance, ensuring that it effectively supports adult education and promotes collaborative learning environments.
CIRC’s commitment to local engagement is vividly demonstrated through its diverse range of activities across partner countries.
A flagship training event in Slovakia further underlined CIRC’s impact. Held over three days in October 2024, the course focused on circular design thinking, experiential learning, and social entrepreneurship. Adult educators from across Europe engaged in upcycling labs, group challenges, and real-world case studies aimed at helping them teach sustainability through inclusive communication methods. This training boosted their ability to support learners — especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds — in acquiring green skills and undertaking community-based projects.
Afterwards, multiple local activities were done in partners countries.
In Slovakia, the National Recycling Agency introduced adult learners to core circular economy principles through hands-on workshops focusing on recycling, upcycling, and sustainable resource management. These sessions combined practical exercises with group discussions, illuminating how community-driven efforts can spark environmental change at the grassroots level.
In Germany, the Comparative Research Network coordinated a community-based initiative that applied circular thinking to urban life. This activity featured workshops on sustainable design, repair culture, and waste minimisation. It provided a collaborative space for educators, local residents, and experts to reflect on environmental impact and explore tangible circular solutions within their neighborhoods.
Italy’s local activity took a creative approach by combining sustainability with the arts. Organized by Mine Vaganti NGO in Terni, this initiative led participants through the process of transforming recyclable waste into functional musical instruments. This unique fusion of environmental awareness, creativity, and teamwork fostered skill-building and peer education. Many participants continued their engagement as peer educators, expanding the reach of circular learning through artistic expression.
In Cyprus, the Center for Social Innovation hosted activities designed to fuel circular transformation through creativity and collaboration. Community-based projects included art made from waste, upcycling demonstrations, and circular economy simulations. The initiative emphasized intergenerational learning and inclusivity, reinforcing the message that sustainable change is most effective when it is both local and collective.
Poland’s activity, led by the Association for Social Cooperatives, highlighted the role of social enterprises in advancing circular economy education. Adults from diverse backgrounds participated in collaborative learning focused on reuse models, eco-design, and sustainable production techniques. The initiative underscored social entrepreneurship and innovation as critical tools for empowerment and for driving green economic development.
Meanwhile, the European Center for Researching, Education and Consulting organized hands-on education in the Netherlands, introducing participants to circular economy principles through participatory and practical methods. The event encouraged learners to reconsider everyday consumption habits, reduce waste, and adopt sustainable lifestyles, blending theory with real-life action and motivating active contributions towards a circular future.
By integrating circular economy with social inclusion and professional skills development, CIRC directly contributes to preparing adults for emerging opportunities in the green economy. The project’s innovative combination of practical training, community-driven activities, strategic resources, and digital networking platforms offers a model for transformative adult education that marries social impact with ecological responsibility.
Supported by an engaged partnership of six organisations across Europe, CIRC exemplifies how education can activate positive social change and foster resilient, sustainable communities. As the project progresses toward its completion in 2025, its influence continues to inspire educators, learners, and social entrepreneurs—building the foundation for a more circular, inclusive, and sustainable future.
