european observatories

Circular Economy

Europe-wide

coordinated by ARCES Association in collaboration with 22 stakeholders

All stakeholders of this observatory

  • School of Arts and Crafts. The Palermo Mediterranean Gateway association was founded in 2018 with the goal of regenerating the historic center of Palermo, starting from the Kalsa district, and creating a replicable model in other areas through the regenerative experience of Palazzo Butera. The key concepts are: regeneration (through art and culture, the creation of shared value for the territory and the community); inclusion (a strong humanitarian focus aimed at building capacity and citizenship); social innovation (synergies between research centers, foundations, universities, museums, and economic and financial actors).

  • School of Arts and Crafts. Magistri Maragmae is a cultural association. Its primary goal is to promote study, research, and training activities in the fields of arts and crafts, aiming to support the professional integration of young talents and the continuous professional development of those already working in the sector. This is achieved through the establishment of educational and training structures, such as the Monreale School of Arts & Crafts.

  • Cleantech, deeptech and sustainable finance. They support early-stage startups advancing circular economy, energy, construction and climate-resilience solutions.

  • Circular economy, design, innovation, sustainable materials. They bring together a diverse international community of companies, research institutions and public-sector actors working in architecture, design, construction and urban development — facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing and business opportunities to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for the cities of the future.

  • Expertise theme: Circular Economy, Business strategy, Service design and Branding. Their core value is making organisations function better by aligning brand, operations, and experience into one coherent whole. They map how services really work, uncover the delivery gap between intention and experience, and redesign the system so that intention matches reality.

  • As a Circular Economy consultancy and independent advocate, they support companies as they innovate and transform through sustainable and circular solutions. With a vast network of skills and expertise in sustainable and circular business practices, circular design, and stakeholder engagement, they are equipped to inspire and drive new business opportunities grounded in circular principles combined with entrepreneurial and sustainability skills, to accelerate the transition to the circular economy in the EU, and beyond.

  • The Center through the support of professional organizations, will also involve small and medium-sized enterprises in the Forum to guide them in defining eco-innovative and sustainable production solutions, assessing and reducing the energy-environmental impacts related to their production processes, and implementing eco-design practices, including the transfer of good practices already in place.

  • Social cooperative. CRESM is a non-profit social cooperative founded in 1973 that promotes initiatives for integrated and sustainable development and social inclusion in Sicily and the Mediterranean.

  • The mission of GATE is to conduct Big Data and AI applied research, to develop innovations and provide education in collaboration with government, industry and entrepreneurs. Based on this, it will generate well educated professionals, new business opportunities and societal impact in Bulgaria and Europe.

  • Expertise theme: Strategic design, Digital marketing, Branding, Web & IT solutions, Service business development. Their work combines brand strategy, creative direction, digital design, and technology to create long-term, sustainable brand systems rather than short-lived campaigns.

  • Expertise theme: Strategic consultancy for sustainable business. Their aim is to accelerate the transition of companies, from manufacturing to the service industry, to a more sustainable operating model.

  • Activities that use the bio-renewable resources of the terrestrial biosphere to produce food, materials and energy, therefore includes the comparison of primary production (agriculture, forests, fishing), as well as the industrial sectors of use and transformation of resources, the agri-food sector, the wood sector, part of the chemical industry, biotechnology and industry.

  • Their mission is to participate in the creation of a society based on a low-carbon economy, facilitating transformation processes towards smart and sustainable development.

  • Expertise theme: Business advisory firm focusing on helping organisations design smarter, more sustainable and financially resilient operating models. The company supports both growing and established businesses in rethinking their processes, adopting data-driven management practices and implementing digital tools that reduce waste and improve efficiency.

  • Area: SMEs and start-up

    Expertise theme: Developing decentralised energy solutions for industries, commercial areas, large buildings, municipalities, and communities who are facing three main challenges: costs, security of supply and CO₂ reduction.


  • Sustainable architecture, environmental impact, construction. Their mission is to drive the transformation of cities and buildings toward sustainability, social equity, climate impact strategies and architectural quality through research, strategic guidance, and coordinated action.

  • SOS is a professional school offering a First Level Master’s Degree in Sustainable Architecture and Design, a post-graduate program accessible to recent graduates and young professionals seeking to develop the necessary skills to succeed in their careers as experts in sustainability.

  • Developing smart cities. 

    Smart City Cluster is an alliance of more than 200 companies and institutions that improve the quality of life of citizens. They work in the development of smart cities, understood as efficient, sustainable and comfortable. They connect the city (challenges) with the business and knowledge fabric (solutions) using a cooperation model between their partner entities: private companies, universities, technology parks and sector organizations. They cover the entire value chain of the city of the future, from its most technological to the most social aspect.

  • SMALLrevolution is a Danish mission-driven company that transforms plastic waste into design-grade materials and functional products through circular design. By working with businesses and public institutions, it creates locally manufactured products with full material traceability, supporting ESG reporting and circular procurement. The company promotes responsible production and consumption while helping organisations turn plastic waste into a valuable resource.

  • Taller&Patrimoine is an association of architecture students and young architects dedicated to vernacular architecture and traditional construction techniques. Through workshops and collaborative projects, it promotes heritage preservation, knowledge exchange with professionals and local communities, and environmentally respectful building practices that also support local economies.

  • The university is an advanced laboratory for research and experimentation in sustainable and circular design. It focuses on bio-based and waste-derived materials, digital fabrication (CNC, Grasshopper), and urban analysis tools such as QGIS to optimise material use and support circular cities. Its interdisciplinary approach prepares designers to develop practical solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

  • Regenerative architecture. They are one of Scandinavia’s leading architectural practices. They work with sustainable architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, and interior design for current and future generations. Their mission is to enable sustainable life through the art of architecture.

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