Innovation Ecosystems for Circular Economy Entrepreneurs
▶Summary
ECO-CENT was initiated to support the transformative potential of business models driven by social, economic and environmental sustainability objectives. Its design allows to mainly involve: (1) e...
▶Objectives
ECO-CENT (2021-2023) brought together a diverse group of public body, research institutes, higher education institution, trainers (SMEs), and chambers of commerce to support members of the education and business communities to adapt their respective practices to respond to the environmental and climate crisis we are facing. The project’s focus was on the practical skill development of business owners, VET providers and trainers. Five project results were produced following an iterative and participatory development approach: PR1. Circular economy business modelling curriculum PR2. Skunk-Works Framework Facilitating an Innovation Ecosystem for VET PR3. In-service training programme PR4. ECO-CENT MOOC and Community of Practice PR5. Policy Paper ECO-CENT’s activities supported business owners and VET providers and trainers with validated knowledge regarding the circular economy and the green transition in Europe. Multistakeholders foruns were organised and developed in each country of the partnership during the project lifespan to identify the problems, bottlenecks or issues to be addressed to make VET more responsive to the challenge of growing the circular economy of the local economies concerned.