Overview
This informal, in-person workshop served as a \”warm-up\” for the WCEF2024, designed to showcase how the European Union translates circular economy policy into tangible action. The session focused on the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP), a joint initiative that bridges the gap between high-level policy and on-the-ground implementation through multi-stakeholder cooperation.
Event: World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2024
Track: European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference (ECESC)
Session: The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform: a success story Organisers: European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
Key Objectives
- Demonstrate Success: Illustrate how the ECESP has evolved since 2017 to become a hub for best practices.
- Facilitate Cooperation: Move beyond simple dialogue to foster active collaboration between policy makers, industry, academia, and civil society.
- Highlight Deliverables: Showcase the platform\’s role in implementing the EU Circular Economy Action Plans (2015 and 2020).
Featured Speakers & Experts
The workshop was led by the key figures driving the platform\’s secretariat and coordination:
- Leadership & Vision: * Ladeja Godina Kosir (Circular Change): Emphasized the importance of circular roadmaps and global leadership.
- Freek van Eijk (Holland Circular Hotspot): Focused on bringing together knowledge institutes and businesses to scale international transitions.
- Policy & Implementation:
- Paola Migliorini (European Commission): Detailed the evolution of EU circular policies, specifically focusing on textiles, plastics, and the EU Ecolabel.
- María Rincón Liévana (European Commission): Discussed the practicalities of the Circular Economy Action Plan and new business models for secondary raw materials.
- Platform Management:
- Alice Senga & Anna Cameron (EESC Secretariat): Provided insights into managing the \”triangular relationship\” between EU institutions and stakeholders to drive grassroots circularity.
Workshop Structure: From Dialogue to Action
The session moved from historical context to interactive engagement:
- The Journey (2017–Present): A retrospective on the ECESP’s growth and its impact on European circularity.
- Interactive Group Work (Town Hall): Participants engaged in a collaborative \”Town Hall\” format. This allowed for direct feedback from the 150 attendees on challenges such as:
- Overcoming regulatory barriers.
- Scaling eco-innovative business models.
- Improving sustainable consumption through better communication.
- Closing & Reporting: A synthesis of the group\’s findings, feeding directly into the broader WCEF2024 discussions.
Impact & Contribution
The workshop reinforced the ECESP\’s role as a \”network of networks,\” essential for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By focusing on cross-sectoral cooperation, the platform continues to provide a blueprint for how regional governance can effectively support a global transition to a circular economy.
Key Takeaway: The success of the ECESP lies in its ability to \”explain, listen, and make it happen\”—turning stakeholder dialogue into actionable policy and business practices.