Skip to content
Programme Accelerator sessions Side events Studios Latest About WCEF – the story so far Partners Practical information Media

WCEF – the story so far

The annual World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) presents the world’s leading circular economy solutions with business leaders, policymakers and experts participating from around the world. Circular economy approaches can help businesses seize new opportunities and gain a competitive advantage, as well as contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

WCEF is a global initiative of Finland and Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund. The forum has been held since 2017, growing bigger and more powerful each year. 

The first forum, WCEF2017, identified key elements of a circular economy and showcased solutions and learnings from around the world, bringing together 1,500 people from more than 100 countries. At WCEF2018, more than 1,000 circular economy experts discussed creating a true circular economy by 2050. WCEF2019 emphasised scaling up the circular transition, with more than 2,200 participants. In 2020, WCEFonline presented circular solutions to reboot the world’s economy and opened its doors to more than 4,200 participants through its new online format. 

In 2021, there were two big events. WCEF+Climate focused on the crucial role of a circular economy in achieving climate neutrality. The main event WCEF2021 in Toronto, Canada focused on seizing circular opportunities. It reached over 4,000 participants from 134 countries plus nearly 27,000 views for the partner-led accelerator sessions.  

WCEF2022 was held in Kigali, Rwanda, for the first time on the African continent and in the Global South. It highlighted the importance of African inclusion in the circular economy transition. The forum had nearly 4,200 participants from 149 countries joining online, in person at the main event, and in Studios across Africa and the globe. Thousands more participated in the partner-led accelerator sessions. 

In 2023, the forum returned to the Nordics as WCEF2023 was held in Helsinki, Finland. It reached over 2,600 people from 155 countries in person or through Studios and more than 12,600 online views—plus more than 5,600 registrants for the partner-led accelerator sessions.  

In 2024, the forum was held in Belgium and gathered 1,531 people in Brussels and 2,295 people in seven Studios around the world and gained more than 9,800 views online. Attendees from 168 countries participated in the main event. This edition was produced by Circle Economy Foundation, International Resource Panel and Sitra, with 22 international partners, 42 expo stand hosts and a plenitude of international collaborators. In addition to the main event, our partners offered 11 workshops and 55 accelerator sessions.