Webinar: Breaking silos, from European circular economy policy to local practice
How can cities and regions translate European circular economy ambitions into local action? And how could the upcoming Circular Economy Act help connect policy areas and overcome political and administrative silos?
Join this CCRI-CoP free webinar on 2 December 2026 to explore these questions with speakers from the European Commission, research and local government. Drawing on research findings and practical experience, they will discuss how a more integrated approach can support the implementation of circular economy policies in cities and regions.
What to expect
The webinar will explore:
- How European circular economy policy is evolving across policy areas and levels of government.
- How cities and regions across Europe organise their governance to put circular economy principles into practice.
- Whether and how the Circular Economy Act could support a more integrated local and regional approach.
A panel discussion will examine barriers, possible solutions and lessons from local and regional practice.
Who is this webinar for?
This free webinar is aimed at policymakers, policy officers and researchers interested in how European circular economy policy translates into local and regional practice.
Practical information
- Wednesday 2 December 2026
- 11:00–12:30 CET
- Online webinar via Microsoft Teams
- Participation is free of charge
- The webinar will be held in English
Programme
11:00–11:05 | Welcome and introduction
Nele Kelchtermans, researcher at VITO
Introducing CCRI, the webinar’s purpose and the central questions.
11:05–11:15 | EU policy landscape on circular economy
Lucie Blondel, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
How European policy is evolving towards a more integrated approach.
11:15–11:35 | From European policy to local and regional governance
Wendy Wuyts, postdoctoral researcher at TU Eindhoven
How European ambitions translate into urban and regional contexts, and how governance structures influence implementation.
11:35–11:50 | How are cities and regions across Europe organising for the circular economy?
Michiel Pauwels, researcher at VITO
Research findings on how cities and regions organise their governance around circular economy principles.
11:50–12:10 | The Circular Economy Act as a possible lever for a systemic approach
Thomas Van Oppens, alderman for the city of Leuven
Exploring its potential to support collaboration across policy areas and departments.
12:10–12:25 | From policy to practice: barriers and solutions
A panel discussion with the four speakers on challenges and possible ways forward for cities and regions.
12:25–12:30 | Wrap-up
Key lessons, open questions and implications for future cooperation.
Register
Join us to explore how European policy can support circular economy implementation in your city or region.
You will receive the link to join the online session the day before the webinar.
About CCRI-CoP
This webinar is part of the EU-funded CCRI-CoP project. Its communities of practice bring together experienced cities and regions to tackle shared circular economy challenges. Each community focuses on a specific topic, shaped by its members’ needs and experience.
With support from the CCRI Communities of Practice team, members exchange ideas, develop solutions together and learn from peers across Europe.