The general and specific objectives refer to the need to build transnational strategic partnership aimed at connecting partner universities, involved institutions and the business sector; exchanging experience and knowledge in the field of circular economy; building a shared Online Master Study Programme for Circular economy; raising the awareness of students about the importance and benefits of circular economy and the need to abandon the concept of a linear economy; encouraging the innovative spirit of students for new business ideas in order to build and establish economically viable solutions which will contribute to waste utilization and profit, and improving the entrepreneurial culture in the business sector. The project’s Consortium is made up of five organizations from four different Programme countries: European University – Republic of Macedonia (project applicant) and the YES Incubator from Macedonia (partner organization), EKA – the University of Economics and Culture from Latvia (partner organization), the Faculty of Commercial and Business Sciences from Slovenia (partner organization), and Zelena Infrastruktura d.o.o from Croatia (partner organization). The project proposal will consist of five phases and activities; 1.Preparation phase: 2. The Implementation stage consists of three components: circular economy joint research, Curriculum building, and development of an online learning platform. 3.The dissemination phase will take place from April – June, 2019 and will include the following activities. 4.The follow-up stage 5.Evaluation and assessment 6.The conclusion phase. The Consortium will devote its maximum effort in the implementation of the proposed project activities for the achievement of the following results: Increased and strengthened network of stakeholders and enhanced communication among the partnering institutions and stakeholders -Abandoning the concept of linear economy “take - make - consume - throw away”, and producing personnel trained for waste utilization and profit generation - Raising the environmental awareness of the general population for the need of clean air and healthier environment -Exchange of experience and knowledge from the field of circular economy between the three sides of the knowledge triangle to result with increased scientific capacities in this area - Curriculum Building - Creating a new Online Master Study Programme for Circular Economy (one-year studies of 60 ECTS) that will fully respond to the challenges of the financial crisis, limited resources, and global climate change, will stimulate the innovative spirit of students and search for new business ideas and economically viable solutions for utilization of waste and profit generation. - Creating an Online learning platform that will allow the establishment and implementation of the study program, through logging-in of students and staff, uploading (and downloading) learning materials, forum discussions, consultations and live lectures. - Promoting the concept of circular economy and building a framework for a renewable and self-sustainable economy through continued awareness of the public and business sector, developing promotional materials, seminars and workshops, public events and demonstrations, building a website, publishing articles in electronic and print media. The proposal will have the following impact: Enabling cooperation between higher education institutions, research, and business sectors and offering ways to expand their cooperation. Searching for solutions via integrated approach of the scientific and business sectors. Supporting and implementing models for effective and practical learning through raising awareness and inspiring students to rethink the economic future from the viewpoint of circular economy; Integrated approach to creating a multidisciplinary Master Study Programme for Circular Economy. Establishing innovative educational practices and trainings in the field of circular economy. Development and flawless operation of an online platform for e-learning to implement the study programme for Circular Economy. Providing the latest findings and standpoints, stimulating innovations, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills.
The main Project elements: 1. Context-background of the project: The CIRCECO Project was created within the contemporary perception of higher education and the need for scientific research in order to create a quality approach to the study of the complexity of the Circular Economy (CE) a new phenomenon with a challenging character. The main purpose of the Project proposal remains the modernization of higher education by implementing an innovative Online Master Study Programme for Circular Economy. The Online Master Study Programme for Circular economy is based on research results and introduction of innovative practices aimed at stimulating entrepreneurial and creative capabilities of students and supporting the development of the innovative business concept, bringing a positive impact on the economy, labor market, society and environment, including protection. The background of the Project is consists of the following main sections: Context, Participating organisations, Description of the project, Budget, Project Summary, Check List-Data, Protection, Notice-Declaration of Honor, Annexes and Submission. 2. Objectives The general and specific objectives refer to the need to build transnational Strategic partnership aimed at connecting Partner Universities, involved institutions and the representatives from Business Community, exchanging experience and enhancing knowledge in the field of CE, building a shared Online Master Study Programme (MSP for CE, raising the awareness of students and emphasis the importance and benefits of CE and quite logical needs to abandon the concept of a linear economy, encouraging the innovative spirit of students for new business ideas, start up procedures in order to build and establish economically viable solutions which will contribute to waste utilization and increasing profit i order to improve the level of entrepreneurial culture of behavior at the Business environment. 3. Number and type-profile of participants: The project’s Consortium is made up of five organizations from four different Programme countries as follows: - European University- RM ( EURM - Project applicant). Private highly-established educational institution with modern standards and development strategy for preliminary scientific research projects, monitoring of good practice, cooperation with the business community and open international politics and mobility. - Youth Entrepreneurial Service Foundation, from Republic of Macedonia ((YES- Partner organization). Non-governmental organization established in 2005 which aims to stimulate the entrepreneurship in the country through reinforcing the business and soft skills of future entrepreneurs needed for successfully running own company. - University of Economics and Culture (Ekonomikas un kultūras augstskola), from Latvia (EKA-Partner organization). Private higher school founded in 1998 in Riga, Latvia. The Study programmes dealing in the various fields and related subjects was granted permanent accreditation in 2006 in order to provide a formal education programs for learners in the form of in-class and distance learning. - Faculty of Commercial and Business Sciences (Fakulteta za komercialne in poslovne vede), from Slovenia ( FKPV- Partner organization). Private higher educational institution with programmes established at all the Bolognia levels, to educate students all over Slovenia in four basic fields: Commerce, Tourism, Business informatics and Security management. - Green Infrastructure Ltd (Zelena Infrastruktura d.o.o) from Croatia, (GI-Partner organization). Founded in the beginning of 2016, capable of providing solutions to increasingly complex challenges in the areas of Nature and environment protection, Sustainable management of natural resources as well as adaptation to Climate change. 4. Description of undertaken activities: The project is provided within the structured framework of the following phases and activities: • Preparation phase • The Implementation stage consists of three components: - CЕ joint research- Curriculum building- Development of an online learning platform. • The dissemination phase: - The follow-up stage - Evaluation and assessment • The conclusion phase. The consortium is fully committed to the implementation of the proposed project activities for achieving the following results: - Increased and strengthened network, - Enhanced communication among the partnering institutions, - Increase environmental awareness, - Exchange of experience and knowledge in he field of CЕ. 5. Results and impact attained: - Common approach to creating a multidisciplinary MSP for CЕ, - Curriculum Building, - Creating a new Online MSP for CЕ. 6. Longer-term benefits: - Further mutual cooperation and promotion between higher education institutions, research and business sectors, - Strengthening the "knowledge triangle" by linking education, research and innovation