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The first ever EU CERC (Circular Economy Resource Centre) event will facilitate knowledge exchange and build collaboration possibilities. Participants will learn about interesting circular business solutions through Latin American and European company pitches. During a speed dating session, the participants have the opportunity to find new matches and share their own circular business solutions.
The goal is to foster concrete collaboration and actively spur companies to share, learn, and where there are synergies identify next steps for joint action.
The event is hosted by the EU CERC (led by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Belgian Development Agency Enabel), in collaboration with Team Finland.
Why?
Peer-to-peer exchanges and knowledge sharing are important to ensure that the circular economy becomes an even greater business and innovation success story. Circular economy requires a value chain approach – one company can’t do it on their own.
Foster circular economy collaboration and networks between companies in Latin America and the EU – two regions which are becoming even closer through leading business ventures and an extensive number of partnerships and free-trade agreements based on trust and joint opportunities
The goal of this event is to promote the exchange of best practices, innovations, and tools to support the uptake of circular economy business models among participating companies and beyond.
Gain access to new markets (EU and Latin American) and regulatory and compliance requirements and learn how to create local partnerships. Supply chain diversification has become increasingly important in the quickly evolving geopolitical situation.
To understand the opportunities presented by different circular economy business models and the innovation and growth potential in those models (product as a service, sharing platforms, digital solutions for a circular economy, circular design, etc.).
Learning from the best practices and business cases (peer-to-peer) and figuring out how to partner and collaborate within the circular economy by building the basis of new ecosystems.
Opportunities to finance the transition to circular business models and new markets.
For whom?
This session is reserved for companies working with circular business models. The target is larger companies and industry leaders from Latin America and Europe that are already implementing circular economy in their business. Companies from all sectors are welcome (key value chains highlighted in this session are circular mining and critical raw materials, the circular bioeconomy, especially food and packaging, and circular textiles). We are also looking for SMEs and startups that can support the work of bigger companies and provide solutions as well as Investors, financiers and other business support organisations, that have the interest to work with above-mentioned companies.
For example: development banks, industry associations, trade organisations.
This is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025. On social media, you can follow the event with #WCEF2025. Accelerator sessions are open for all participants. This session has room for 100 participants.
When?
The event is held on 15 May 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 (UTC -3) in São Paolo, Brazil as part of the World Circular Economy Forum 2025.
Where?
The session will be held in São Paolo, Brazil. While primarily a face-to-face meeting, an option for online participation will also be offered.
Programme
| 9:00 |
Welcoming words, moderator Enabel/Sitra
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|---|---|
| 9:05 |
Keynote speech / Circular business model presentation
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| 9:15 |
Circular business model cases (Latam + Europe based)
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| 9:30 |
Speed dating session
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| 10:40 |
Sneak peek to funding possibilities
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Closing remarks
The session will be followed by an opportunity for networking, refreshments and informal discussion.
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