Our industrial economy has hardly moved beyond one fundamental characteristic established in the early days of industrialization: a linear model of resource consumption that follows a take-make-dispose pattern. Now-a-days people think the faster they replace their gadgets the better – not only their phones, but most items they consume. Although the EC is allocating efforts in Circular Economy, there is still a high lack of knowledge about how to implement this new model in the organizations or projects. Many people are still defining new projects, bussiness and organizations, considering the linear model. For this reason, Creativity Works Preston, Permacultura Cantabria and Gmina Starachowice decided to create a strategic partnership and carry out the project “CIRCUlar and Sustainable tools for adults (CIRCUS)”. We are looking forward to promoting circular economy to adults as it is an innovative topic that needs to be more present in the recent academic literature. The objectives of our project are: To exchange knowledge, tools and best practices in our countries and our organizations regarding circular economy To create an interactive book with new tools and methodologies for the definition and implementation of circular and sustainable projects To empower adults and adult trainers with new circular economy tools and methodologies for the creation of sustainable projects under circular models The main activities in our project are: 3 Transnational Meetings: Kick off meeting in Spain Intermediate Evaluation in UK Final Evaluation in Spain 3 Participatory visits: to share tools, knowledge and methodologies in circular economy: 1st Participatory Visit: UK 2nd Participatory Visit: Poland 3rd Participatory Visit: Spain Creation of an intellectual output: We will develop new circular economy tools for the development of sustainable projects which will be documented in an interactive book. We will empower adults and adult trainers with new circular economy tools and methodologies for the creation of sustainable projects under circular models through a dissemination campaign. We will transfer them the activities, book and project results so they can benefit from the project. It is expected that the adult trainers’ and adult participants’ skills, to create sustainable projects under circular economy models are developed. These participants will improve their academic performance, problem-solving and decision-making abilities, leadership and public speaking capacities and, entrepreneurship, circular economy and project management knowledge. This will ease their communication with others and their psychosocial well-being, confidence and empowerment. They will contribute to preserve the planet. Some of the innumerable benefits circular economy will bring are: Boost job creation Foster inclusion Tackle climate change Foster entrepreneurship Boost innovation and competitiveness Less waste generation Cheaper production costs Cheaper products Responsible consumption, etc.
The main aim of the project is to empower adult trainers and adult people with tools for the creation of circular and sustainable projects as we are sure they are the key to accelerate this transition, as potential drivers for change. Objectives: 1. To exchange knowledge, tools and best practices in our countries and our organizations regarding circular economy. We will visit UK, Spain and Poland to widen our panorama of the initiatives and best practices carried out by our partners and in their countries in the fields related to the 7 key elements of circular economy. 2. To create an interactive book with new tools and methodologies for the definition and implementation of circular and sustainable projects After the transfer of best practices, we will be able to create new tools and methods, as well as an intellectual output: interactive book. 3. To empower adults and adult trainers with new circular economy tools and methodologies for the creation of sustainable projects under circular models. Through a strong and effective dissemination campaign we are looking forward to providing the intellectual output and project results in regional, national, European and international levels, increasing the awareness in adult communities of the importance of implementing circular models in their projects for the preservation our planet.
The EC states in a communication To the European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee Of The Regions “The transition to a circular economy is a tremendous opportunity to transform our economy and make it more sustainable, contribute to climate goals and the preservation of the world’s resources, create local jobs and generate competitive advantages for Europe in a world that is undergoing profound changes. The importance of the circular economy to European industry was recently highlighted in the renewed EU industrial policy strategy. The transition to a circular economy will also help to meet the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. It is clear there is a high necessity from European Countries to start this transition as soon as possible, the global warming caused by an inefficient management of the sources and waste is affecting more and more our nature, species, etc. Although the EC is allocating efforts in Circular Economy, there is still a high lack of knowledge about how to implement this new model in the organizations or projects. Many people are still defining new projects, business and organizations, considering the linear model. Our strategic partnership carried out a survey (detailed results in Annex Project Details) among adult trainers and adult people from Spain, UK and Poland (70 persons from each country). The main conclusions of the survey demonstrate it is necessary to carry out this project: -There is a high interest in preserving the planet and change the world. -They are more worried about climate change, than other topics such as gender issues. -They agree more alternatives should be created for the current consumerism. -They consider that adults face a high risk in having precarious jobs. -They are interested in sustainable entrepreneurship projects -They prefer to work in an organization that contributes to the society positively. -They are interested in Circular Economy -They are interested in sustainable methods -They are interested in applying Circular Economy and sustainable tools in their lives. -They are sure that knowing about circular economy will open more doors in their professional lives, as they will contribute with innovative ideas in linear organizations. Most of them do not have the tools to define and implement a project and would like to acquire them. They are interested in participating in a Circular Economy training or reading a book about this topic. For this reason, our strategic partnership composed by CWP, P. Cantabria and the GS City Hall have decided to carry out the project “CIRCUlar and Sustainable tools for adults (CIRCUS)”.