Accelerating Change: Ten Sessions at the World Circular Economy Forum feature EU supported action
Discussion details
Discover at the World Circular Economy Foum 2025 how the European Union supports circular economy transitions worldwide. At #WCEF2025, the EU hosts an EU Accelerator Arena showcasing nine Accelerator Sessions highlighting EU-(co)funded actions that promote circular value chains, trade partnerships, and compliance with EU environmental standards. WCEF2025 will gather forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the game-changers in the circular economy.
Join the conversation on building a more circular and resilient global economy by participating online. See the registration links to the individual sessions below.
15 May 2025 at 14:30-15:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: EU-LAC Global Gateway – Building Circular Economy Value Chains
How will the EU Global Gateway investment offer in the circular economy takes shape? What role does a strong partnership with Latin America play? Real-life cases of EU partnerships with Mexico and Guatemala will elaborate on how know-how, financing and industrial solutions can be mobilised for mutually beneficial projects implemented in a 360-degree approach. With a view to creating strategic value chains in Mexico and Guatemala, future investments will integrate circular product design solutions for the reuse, recycling, recovery and use of secondary materials, as well as water treatment.
Hosted by: Directorate General International Partnership
Discover how the Directorate General International Partnership contributes to advancing a sustainable and circular future! Register HERE.
15 May 2025 at 09:00-12:00 BRT (UTC-3) In Person Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Circular Economy Policies: Connecting Regions, Sharing Solutions
Join us for a dynamic peer-to-peer exchange and learning experience on crafting circular economy roadmaps with experience sharing from the LAC region, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Attend the launch of the LAC CEC Guide for Developing Circular Economy Roadmaps in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with the Guidelines to Accelerate Circular Economy Transition in Africa. Discover how circular approaches in NDCs and NBSAPs can drive climate and nature goals while fuelling socio-economic transformation. Learn how robust science, considering system-level effects across life cycles, can inform effective policies, with a presentation of the UNEP Policymakers' Guide on Life Cycle Assessment.
Hosted by: Latin America and the Caribbean Circular Economy Coalition (LAC CEC), African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) and GACERE
Explore actionable solutions for public and private actors to boost the circular transition! Register HERE
15 May 2025 at 10:30–12:00 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Locally delivered support, lasting impact: Scaling SME circularity
This Accelerator Session that discusses circular economy support specifically tailored for SMEs. Discover how expert stakeholders and initiatives are actively engaging to overcome the challenges SMEs face in accessing crucial knowledge and technology. From difficulty in finding relevant case studies to the lack of cost-effective cleaner production technologies, SMEs often struggle to enhance their circular practices.
This session will highlight the pivotal role of local Business Support Organizations (BSOs), like National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs), in bridging these gaps. Learn from the best practices of EU-Latin American partnership projects like Al Invest Verde and explore opportunities to bolster collaboration among BSOs, scaling up successful initiatives for SMEs.
Hosted by: Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), supported by National Cleaner Production Centre El Salvador (CNPML), AL-INVEST Verde, SWITCH-ASIA/ICLEI, and International Trade Centre (ITC)
Be part of the conversation that will shape responsible and circular businesses. Register HERE
15 May 2025 at 13:00–14:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Integrated and Circular Plastic Management
Discover how companies in Latin America are revolutionising the plastic value chain through circular practices! This hybrid session will spotlight their efforts, from eco-designing packaging to eliminating single-use plastics and reshaping consumer perceptions and behaviours. Aligning with the latest European regulations on eco-design and packaging, this Acceleration Session offers opportunities to engage with entrepreneurs and industry leaders and be part of the movement towards a sustainable future. Secure your spot now and be at the forefront of change!
Hosted by: Delegation of the European Union in Peru
Take the tour into the world of circular plastics! Register HERE
15 May 2025 at 14:30-15:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: EU and El Salvador partner for the circular economy: SMEs driving green solutions
Discover how in El Salvador, the EU funds actions that empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in the circular economy, creating green jobs and sustainable growth. This session will showcase how SMEs of middle-income countries can compete in an open market, drive green growth, and with the EU support, produce and export sustainably. Learn how these businesses are tackling climate change, meeting environmental regulations, and boosting community resilience—all while improving livelihoods.
Hosted by EU Delegation to El Salvador
Make sure to attend to our showcase of best practices. Register HERE
15 May 2025 at 15:30-17:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Circular Economy beyond SDG12: scaling pathways for a Just Transition
This session will delve into transformative cooperation by showcasing insights from current national circularity roadmaps and country experiences, alongside analytical work on modelling jobs in secondary material markets. The discussion focuses on mechanisms to enhance financial and trade support for circularity initiatives and discuss progress in addressing policy opportunities and gaps in global circular economy governance. Interventions spotlight innovative approaches, highlighting stakeholder collaborations that tackle the "who pays" dilemma in circular transitions.
Hosted by: Green Economy Coalition with the Brazilian Centre for International Relations (CEBRI), EU Policy and Outreach Partnerships (EU Del Brazil/EU POP), Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), Partners for Inclusive Green Economy (PIGE)
Gain valuable insights on circularity roadmaps, finance, and SMEs
15 May 2025 at 15:30- 17:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Opportunities and challenges for Latin American SMEs in the circular transition
This session will showcase successful circular economy initiatives by SMEs in Latin America, supported by the AL-INVEST Verde programme. Learn from real success stories across sectors like agriculture, resource efficiency, manufacturing and services; discover practical solutions to common challenges faced by SMEs in adopting circular practices; and explore regional impact with local examples from different Latin American countries.
Hosted by: AL-INVEST Verde programme
Be part of the conversation, hear hear firsthand accounts from SMEs going circular. Register HERE
16 May 2025 at 9:00-10:30 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session Harnessing the power of digital tools to accelerate circular actions
This Accelerator Session explores how innovative digital tools can drive the transition to a circular economy. Policymakers and businesses often face the challenge of accessing and applying the right knowledge and data to push effective circular actions. Digital solutions, such as knowledge-sharing platforms, assessment tools, and monitoring systems, are key to overcoming these barriers. By equipping stakeholders with user-friendly, interconnected tools, often linked to development programmes, coordination platforms, like GGKP, they can pinpoint and implement the most effective circular actions for their unique needs.
Hosted by: Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), supported by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and Guatemalan Cleaner Production Centre (CGP+L)
Join to learn how connected platforms can make sustainability accessible and actionable for everyone. Register HERE
16 May 2025 at 10:30-12:00 BRT (UTC-3) Online and Tivoli Hotel, Alameda Santos, 1437 Cerqueira César CEP, 01419-001 São Paulo,
WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Circular Economy, Textile Industry and Sustainable Fashion
Dive into the dynamic world of the textile industry, where circular innovation meets sustainability! Discover how creative companies across Latin America are revolutionising their business models by embracing the circular economy. Witness firsthand the transformative power of integrating vulnerable groups, like women, into the textile value chain, creating a ripple of positive change.
Hosted by: Delegation of the European Union in Peru
Join us for a journey into the future of fashion! Register HERE
All Accelerator Sessions hosted at the EU Accelerator Arena are part of the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 (wcef2025.com).
WCEF2025 is organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, FIESP (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo), CNI (Brazilian National Industry Confederation) and SENAI-SP (Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service), in close collaboration with international partner organisations. Free of charge, open to all online. On social media, you can follow the event with #WCEF2025.
Log in with your EU Login account to post or comment on the platform.