Monitoring plays an important role in underpinning and improving circular economy policies. But collecting data alone is not enough. It is about insight, about collaboration – about the question: how do we use data to make a real impact? With representatives of the European Commission we will discuss the importance of joint monitoring, sharing insights and developing a shared language. Be inspired by best practices from different European regions. They show not only what is being monitored, but especially how. With smart approaches, innovative structures and a clear idea of what data can really mean for policy.

These insights form the basis for a joint blueprint – a foundation for future cooperation and policy development at the European level. We look ahead: how can we take this further? There are opportunities to set up new European projects and collaborations around monitoring. In this work session we will explore these opportunities together.

This session will explore how Europe is shaping its policies to accelerate the use of circular and biobased materials in construction. We begin with key speakers outlining current EU developments funding opportunities, and future policy directions – with contributions from ACR+ and Europapact Fryslân. Participants are invited to contribute and share their perspectives.

In the second part of the session, we shift focus to the regional level. We are happy to welcome pioneering cities and regions from across Europe in our session: Circulair Friesland Association (Netherlands), OVAM (Belgium), Ezavod (Slovenia) and ReLondon (UK) will showcase successful examples from regional strategies and network development to innovative uses of biobased and circular materials.

The session concludes in smaller groups, where participants will dive deeper into shared challenges and opportunities, guided by the expert speakers. This hands-on setting facilitates direct exchange of knowledge, builds new connections, and helps lay the foundation for future European collaborations and projects.

Public procurement plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient cities and regions. The ongoing revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives offers a key opportunity to address key challenges and enhance legal certainty, particularly concerning the inclusion of circular economy principles in procurement processes. The first part of the session will provide insights on the status of the revision of the public procurement directives. As cities and regions are on the front lines of policy implementation, we will hear direct insights from local and regional representatives on their experiences, challenges and recommendations for using procurement as a strategic tool to build more sustainable and resilient societies.
Despite the clear potential of circular procurement and a supportive legislative framework, many public authorities face significant internal challenges that hinder its effective implementation. In the second part of this session we will gain insights into how public administration can enhance internal commitment. This will be discussed in expert presentations, by showing best practices and by participating in an interactive roundtable discussion.

In what ways can businesses and societal partners take up an active role in shaping the future of education for the circular transition? In this working session we will commonly explore answers to this question. In order to educate students to take their role in a circular transition we need to broader our educational offer. In this, real life cases and involvement of businesses and societal partners are essential. This means that these businesses and societal partners need to take up their role in a regional learning ecosystem. Not because they will always directly profit from it, but because eventually this is necessary to give them the needed human capital they need for their circular transition. Elements of the EU Circular Economy Act should therefore deal with how funding is also linked with educational engagements by recipients.

This session aims at exploring ways for businesses and societal partners to do so. We do so by utilizing a design thinking method and stimulating the interaction between educational partners, business and societal partners. This way we hope to position the region as a stakeholder in the development of a future proof educational system. The session includes inspirational speakers from the Regional University Network (RUN EU), the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) and best practices from Fryslân and ACR+.

As part of the Circular Summit Fryslân 2025, the SOILL Start-Up project, in collaboration with the Province of Friesland and SOILCRATES, invites local and regional public authorities to a focused hybrid session on the future of soil health in Europe.

This session is designed for local and regional authorities ready to take action on soil restoration and explore the opportunities offered by the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.” Learn how to access funding, connect with peers, and take your first steps toward launching a Soil Health Living Lab (SHLL) in your region.

Below you may find the tentative agenda and the link to register for online participation. We will be updating the agenda, so stay tuned!

 > Registration link for online participants 

Join us for an inspiring and hands-on workshop focused on closing the water loop – a vital step toward sustainable water management in times of growing scarcity and environmental pressure. The water loop encompasses the entire cycle: from the sourcing of (drinking) water to the treatment and reuse of (waste)water. By removing harmful substances and recovering valuable nutrients and materials, we can create circular systems that decrease the reliance on increasingly stressed freshwater sources and reduce the need for resource extraction elsewhere. Water reuse plays a crucial role in this approach, turning wastewater into a valuable resource while protecting the environment and strengthening long-term resilience. We’ll also explore how innovations from the WaterCampus are helping to drive this transition and support policy goals. European cooperation and the exchange of lessons learned from other regions are key enablers in accelerating this circular transition — participants are encouraged to actively contribute their own insights, experiences, and regional perspectives.

Whether you’re working in policy, research, or the water sector, this is your opportunity to connect, collaborate, and be part of shaping tomorrow’s water systems. Let’s close the loop – together.