Side events
Can’t get enough of WCEF? Check the list of Side Events from 22 May to 11 June!
WCEF Side Events present circular economy solutions from around the globe and attract an international audience. They address specific topics related to the circular economy and the role circularity plays in the economies of the future, as well as in the fight against climate change and the biodiversity crisis. WCEF Side Events are part of the World Circular Economy Forum concept. Organisers are responsible for all practicalities, expenses and inquiries related to organising and participating in the events. WCEF Side Events may be organised throughout the year either virtually or locally.
All WCEF Side Events organised between 22 May and 11 June 2023 will be listed on this page. See the full list of all WCEF Side Events organised in 2023 and instructions for applying on Sitra’s website.
Tuesday 23 May to Thursday 8 June
The Circular Conversations Tour
Join Sustainable Change Studio to talk all things circularity, climate action and sustainable choices as we take a 7-day overland journey to Helsinki for WCEF. Whether you’re a circularity expert or circular-curious and looking to learn, we want to swap stories with you!
Organiser: Sustainable Change Studio
Time: see separate programme on the event page
Wednesday 24 May
Circular Arena
This seminar and fair discusses how collaboration, innovation and learning lead the change towards a circular economy. Speakers represent business, city and research institutes. In the fair you can learn about and network with local circular economy businesses in the Oulu region. The event language is Finnish.
Organiser: BusinessOulu
Time: 9:00-18:00 UTC+3
Industrial water circularity in Morocco
Join us in a webinar to hear about opportunities for collaboration between Finnish and Moroccan companies in sustainable water management ! Various speakers will discuss water challenges in Morocco and in its key industrial sectors. The speakers will also present examples of solutions that Finnish expertise has to offer.
Organisers: Embassy of Finland in Morocco, Business Finland and Finnish Water Forum
Time: 13:00-14:30 UTC+3
Circular economy investor matchmaking event
This event is designed to bring together those promising startups and savvy investors who are interested in exploring investment opportunities in the circular economy. If you are an investor and open to investing in circular economy startups, this event is for you.
Organiser: Impact Hub Berlin
Time: 15:00-17:00 UTC+3
Friday 26 May
Circular economy in action 1: it is not rocket science!
In the first series session we will discuss how circular economy research can contribute to innovation and build knowledge applicable to African countries and situations in which projects are needed with the private sector.
Organisers: Circular Economy Hub Africa and African Leadership University
Time: 11:30-13:00 UTC+3
Monday 29 May
The forests and circular economy in the Tanzanian context
Tanzania’s yearly wood demand exceeds its forests’ sustainable supply capacity by 19.5 m3. This side event will discuss how Tanzania can overcome the wood supply gap while preserving its forests to meet increased demand of the future.
Organiser: Embassy of Finland in Dar es Salaam
Time: 9:30-12:00 UTC+3
Making a profit through sustainability
This event offers a diverse and expert-rich panel discussion on sustainable development and money. We discuss the circular economy and social responsibility with panellists whose areas of expertise are marketing, investments, internationalisation and management. The event language is Finnish.
Organisers: Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Måndag
Time: 9:30-12:00 UTC+3
Unlocking the door to the circular economy of the world rubber economy
This event addresses a sustainable rubber economy that is profitable, socially just and environmentally sound. A cradle-to-cradle circular economy guarantees a superior performance and more sustainable mobility.
Organiser: International Rubber Study Group
Time: 10:00-16:00 UTC+3
The role of a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) in a circular economy
This event will highlight a case study of the importance of a PRO under a well-designed and well-implemented circular economy framework. It will use the example of the partnership between Reclay (a PRO), and Borealis, a chemical and plastics manufacturer.
Organiser: Reclay StewardEdge
Time: 17:00-18:00 UTC+3
Investing in circularity and sustainability
Join us to explore the exciting world of sustainable business and circular economy opportunities. We invite investors, startups, ecosystem leaders and industry experts to come together in Helsinki to exchange knowledge, share insights and foster meaningful connections.
Organisers: Helsinki Partners, MiXi Center, the City of Helsinki, Helsinki–Uusimaa Circular Valley and the Museum of Technology
Time: 17:00-20:00 UTC+3
Tuesday 30 May
From waste to value – the Circular economy in Egypt
This event involves the private sector, policy makers and academia in Egypt and Finland. It will explore critical development needs for the circular economy in Egypt and it will bring experts and stakeholders to discuss state-of-the-art solutions and the practical way for implementation.
Organiser: Embassy of Finland in Cairo
Time: 18:00-21:00 UTC+3
Wednesday 31 May
The Mediterranean way(s) – overcoming barriers for a circular transition
This session will look at the Mediterranean region and discuss priority action areas for a circular economy transition. Implementation cases from Jordan and Tunisia will be presented, showcasing their efforts in adopting circular economy practices.
Organiser: GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) GmbH
Time: 10:00-10:30 UTC+3
The role of the Global South in enabling a global circular transition
This roundtable will focus on bridging the Global South and the Global North, breaking cultural and lifestyle barriers through solutions and best practice of mapping circular policies, economic incentives and business models.
Organiser: International Council for Circular Economy
Time: 16:45-18:15 UTC+3
Monday 5 June
Regenerative leadership: the key to a circular economy in harmony with nature and people
Change towards a circular economy starts with each person. During this event you will get insights into regenerative leadership and identify key aspects for being a leader of a circular economy in harmony with nature and people.
Organiser: Circonnact
Time: 17:00-18:00 UTC+3
Monday 5 to Friday 9 June
Circular economy online matchmaking week
This event is for all companies operating in the Single Market or EU partner countries, no matter your progress with circular economy operations. You can book and manage meetings on this website, and also with the app “b2match”.
Organisers: Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
Time: 9:00-19:00 UTC+3
Wednesday 7 June
Circularity in food production: future opportunities and challenges
This panel will zoom in on circular horticulture, the practical implications, and how the EU can support it. We will look at substrate reuse, growing renewable materials for substrates through peatland agriculture and examples of using waste streams to produce healthy food.
Organiser: Kekkilä-BVB
Time: 14:00-15:45 UTC+3
Wednesday 7 to Thursday 8 June
Arctic Circular Economy Forum 2023
ACEF2023 deals with the energy revolution and the solutions offered by the circular economy. This year, we offer free business sparring, circular economy tours, a circular economy competition and illustrations of the circular economy with VR glasses. The event language is Finnish.
Organisers: Circular Economy Centre, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Lappia Vocational College and Lappia Education Ltd
Time: see programme on event pages