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RIC Pro-Akademia at an international conference on circular economy in cities
On 11–12 March 2026, experts from CBI Pro-Akademia participated in the international conference “From Niche to Centre: Mainstreaming Circular Lifestyles in European Cities”, which took place at the headquarters of the German Environment Agency in Dessau-Roßlau, Germany. The event brought together representatives of cities, regions, public institutions, non-governmental organisations and experts from across Europe involved in promoting sustainable consumption and the circular economy. The conference aimed to share practical knowledge and the results of projects supporting the development of circular lifestyles in cities, including outcomes from the NiCE project. It also provided a platform for presenting good practices, strengthening cooperation between different stakeholders and initiating new projects and initiatives supporting the transformation of urban consumption systems. Experts from CBI Pro-Akademia led one of the workshop sessions entitled “Circular Lifestyles in Action: Policy Recommendations Resulting from NiCE Pilots”. The workshop focused on experiences from the NiCE pilots, which tested a wide range of solutions supporting the circular economy in urban centres – from resource centres to water re-use initiatives. During the session, participants analysed examples of initiatives implemented in different local contexts, identifying factors that support the development of circular initiatives as well as systemic barriers that hinder their scaling. The joint discussion also helped formulate recommendations regarding regulatory frameworks, support mechanisms and policy instruments that can foster the development of similar initiatives in other European cities.
The workshop had an interactive format and engaged participants in reflecting on how experiences from the pilots can be translated into concrete policy recommendations at the local, national and European levels. The session was designed for practitioners, policymakers and researchers interested in implementing circular economy solutions in the everyday lives of city residents. Participation in the conference provided an important opportunity to present the experiences of the NiCE project, exchange knowledge with an international community of experts and strengthen cooperation aimed at transforming European cities towards more sustainable and circular models of development.
More information about the NiCE project is available on the project website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/nice/
Project NiCE is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund
The NiCE project is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education as part of the programme entitled ‘International Co-Financed Projects’