RE-START – Reinforcing the circular economy model for START-ups
▶Summary
Amidst escalating demand for sustainable businesses, the concept of the circular economy garners increasing recognition. While established firms express interest, startups with their pioneering spirit, lead the charge in adopting circular business models. Despite momentum, a gap persists in advancing circular business development. The consortium applied for this project with the aim to bridge this gap by creating a methodology for transitioning to a sustainable economic model through circular startups. RE-START empowered young entrepreneurs, promoted circular awareness, and fostered a robust ecosystem of sustainable businesses. The project’s objectives were to: -Bridge the gap between Higher Education and current labor market demands -Cultivate a culture of sustainability and eco-awareness among HEIs students & graduates -Empower HEIs students with essential circular economy strategies & skills to fuel circular entrepreneurship -Inspire HEIs students to collaborate with established circular startups and commercialise their business idea through the RE-START competition - Encourage HEIs students to spark creativity, embrace innovation, and cultivate transversal skills -Amplify economic growth and competitiveness throughout Europe
▶Objectives
The overall project scope was to empower young individuals, and more specifically HEI’s students, recent graduates, and potential startuppers with the necessary knowledge to develop and refine their strategies for creating circular businesses. Through RE-START, participants engaged in a practical programme focused on developing a circular business idea, which they intended to bring to fruition. By the end of the programme, participants were capable of producing a comprehensive circular business plan, enabling them to launch a circular startup or a spin-off. The general project’s objectives were: - Development of an innovative, cross-disciplinary programme tailored to meet labor market needs across diverse consortium nations. - Development of pedagogical practices and methodologies delivering transversal competences and sustainability mentality - Utilisation of adaptable, personalised learning methods alongside strategic utilisation of OERs and virtual platforms. - Preparation of HEIs students recent graduates, and potential startuppers to effectively commercialise their circular business concepts. - Engagement of participating students with global stakeholders, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
▶Activities
The activities implemented in the project are presented below: Horizontal Activities: 1. Partnership Agreement: outlining the responsibilities, reporting periods, and payments of each partner 2. Gantt-Chart: outlining the main tasks & results with their corresponding timelines and the lead partner 3. AdminProject: for the monitoring & sharing of the projects’ documents 4. Online meetings every 1-2 months 5. Financial reports every 6 months 6. Quality Assurance & Internal Evaluation Plan 7. Operational & Communication Plan 8. Dissemination Plan 9. 4 TPMs. Technical activities for the project results: 1. LTT on OERs & the Circular Economy model proposed by Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2. Circular Business Toolkit (ICT-based tool) supported by case studies 3. Secondary & primary research reports 4. e-Training programme (MOOC) supported by case videos 5. Pilot-test OERs & MOOC 6. Guidebook for trainers and academics 7. Circular Business Plan Competition. Overall RE-START developed a training programme for circular startups, fostered an entrepreneurial mindset, and enhanced the competencies of HEIs, recent graduates, and potential startuppers for commercialising their circular business ideas.
▶Impact
The outputs delivered under the RE-START project were: a) RO1-Circular Business Plan Toolkit: ICT methods were utilised to create an open-access interactive toolkit for entrepreneurs interested in integrating circular economy into their firms. It features an interactive BMC, a fine-tuning checklist, 2 pitch deck templates, and a case deck showcasing successful circular firms, in English and all partner languages. (https://www.restart-toolkit.eu/) b) RO2-E-training program: Data from both secondary & primary research conducted at a national level, and the circular economy model by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, were used for developing the 7 modules. The modules & the 12 case videos with circular firms were made available as OERs collected in a MOOC, in English and all partner languages. (https://restart.erasmus.site/login) c) RO3-Guidebook for trainers and academics: Material from RO1 & RO2 was used to create a guidebook for trainers and academics, detailing how to plan, prepare for, and deliver training using the RE-START Toolkit and e-Training program. Content is available in English and all partner languages. d)RO4- Industry Cooperations: HEIs’ students, graduates & potential startuppers utilised the e-training programme and toolkit to develop & refine their circular business ideas & present them to potential investors etc. They also had the chance to participate in the RE-START circular business plan competition & gain amazing awards.