Side events
Can’t get enough of WCEF? Check the list of side events from 1 to 30 May 2025 and beyond!
WCEF Side Events present circular economy solutions from around the globe and attract an international audience. They address specific topics related to the circular economy and the role circularity must play in our economies, as well as in the fight against climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
Side events are part of the World Circular Economy Forum concept. Organisers are responsible for all practicalities, expenses and inquiries related to organising and participating in the events. Side events may be organised throughout the year either virtually or locally.
All WCEF Side Events organised from 1 to 30 May 2025 will be listed on this page. Please note that side events cannot overlap with the main programme on the forum days.
See the full list of all WCEF side events organised in 2024 and in 2025 and instructions for applying on Sitra’s website.
Tuesday 6 May
Circular business design & LCA
We will explore how circular business design and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) go beyond compliance to drive competitiveness, and how to integrate LCA and circular strategies into processes through data-driven decision-making.
Organiser: Environmental Impacts Academy
Time: 09:00-10:00 UTC-3
Thursday 8 May
Climate Fresk workshop
Climate Fresk is a scientific, cooperative and engaging way to raise awareness about climate change. This workshop is based on the IPCC reports breaking down the most important information about climate change. In just three hours, the workshop will help you understand the fundamental science behind it and empower you to take action.
Organiser: Climate Fresk Finland community
Time: 8:00-11:00 UTC-3
Brewing a better future: Circular solutions for coffee waste
ACEN, together with partners, is organising this side event to explore how circular economy principles can transform the coffee industry by reducing waste, creating new revenue streams and addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges, with insights from ACEN, Nzatu, the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC) and Rwandan SMEs.
Organiser: African Circular Economy Network (ACEN)
Time: 9:00-10:30 UTC-3
Monday 12 May
Embedding the bioeconomy into multi-sector circular economy roadmaps
Compared to technical material sectors, organic materials often lack comprehensive strategies for circular value creation. Based on empirical cases from grantees of the UK-UNCTAD SMEP Programme, this session demonstrates how organic residues can be transformed into high-value products, highlighting enabling policies and South-South cooperation.
Organisers: UNCTAD and Chatham House
Time: 14:00-17:00 UTC-3
Circularity and innovation: The future of recycled content in plastic products
During the WCEF week, this side event will give you a comprehensive overview of plastic circularity and recycled content in national and global contexts. We will be covering regulatory frameworks, the Global Plastics Treaty and key legislation, as well as ESG-driven corporate goals and market expectations. The event will be held in São Paulo in Portuguese.
Organisers: Brazilian Association of Plastic Industry (ABIPLAST) and Brazilian Agency of Industrial Development (ABDI)
Time: 15:00-18:00 UTC-3
Roundtable: Can the circular economy help ensure forest for all, forever?
FSC are committed to protecting healthy, resilient forests for all, forever. We observe an increased demand and pressure on forests and this roundtable will address how to explore new solutions ensuring the best use and continuous circulation of forest-based fibers.
Organiser: Forest Stewardship Council – Circularity Hub
Time: 14:00-17:00 UTC-3
Wednesday 14 May
Nordic night
Nordic night in São Paulo gathers Nordic and Brazilian business interests around circular economy aspects in connection with the WCEF2025.
Organisers: Nordic Innovation, Nordic representations to Brazil, Nordic Circular Hotspot and Exchange4Change
Time: 18:30-22:00 UTC-3
Thursday 15 May
Towards an International Materials Agency: Global coordination in turbulent times
Decision-makers need consolidated and high-quality data on material flows and their impacts in order to accelerate the shift to a circular economy. Is an International Materials Agency the best answer? What solutions should it provide, and how can it work in a challenging global environment?
Organisers: International Chamber of Commerce, Systemiq, International Resource Panel Co-Chairs, Chatham House
Time: 15:00-16:30 UTC-3
Tuesday 20 May
The “C” word – Shortcuts to circularity
The panel will feature a diverse group of designers, builders, suppliers, creatives and policymakers, each sharing insights into how they embed circularity into their work. By the end of the discussion, every attendee will leave with actionable steps to help build a sustainable future.
Organisers: Breathe Architecture
Time: 4:30-6:30 UTC-3
Wednesday 21 May
Launch of the Western Balkans Circular Economy Hub
Join us to explore the newly established Western Balkans Circular Economy Hub, its strategic focus, vision and planned activities. Hear from Elin Bergman, co-founder of Nordic Circular Hotspot, as well as from successful circular companies from the Western Balkan region.
Organisers: IECE & RECONOMY Program
Time: 6:30-8:00 UTC-3
Fostering repair and reuse for sustainable circular urban development
This webinar explores how repair and reuse supports the circular economy and sustainable urban development, featuring local and global initiatives, regulatory challenges and recent European legislation aimed at reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.
Organiser: Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Time: 10:00-10:45 UTC-3
Thursday 22 May
Collaborative circular innovation: Engaging users in co-design
How can we ensure circular business models truly meet user needs? Join either an online seminar or an in-person workshop (in Stockholm) to explore creative co-design methods that bridge circular ambitions with real-world adoption.
Organisers: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
Time: 5:00-11:00 UTC-3
Circular Zambia 2025
The Circular Zambia conference spotlights circular opportunities within Zambia and Africa, with a focus on key sectors: mining, energy and manufacturing. This side event will serve as a platform for strategic conversations, partnerships and showcasing Zambia’s contributions to the global circular economy transition. It’s an opportunity to engage new and existing actors in the circular economy.
Organisers: ZamCEN, Tandem Circular Consulting and ACEN
Time: 4:00-14:00 UTC-3
Friday 23 May
Can forest harvesting be reduced without shifting the pressure elsewhere?
Reduced logging in Finland might simply lead to increased forest use elsewhere, potentially in regions with weaker environmental safeguards and more biodiverse forests. In this webinar, we examine recent research findings on the topic. We also consider what kinds of economic and ecological trade-offs forest policy must navigate in a situation where no option is entirely without drawbacks.
Organiser: ForTran—Forests in Systemic Transition
Time: 9:00-10:30 UTC-3
Saturday 24 May
Roundtable: Exploring circular economy for a regenerative future
The event brings together professors from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) – Resende, RJ regional campus and the Professional Master’s Program in Design, Technology and Innovation from the Teresa D’Ávila University Center (PPG-DTI Unifatea), to discuss circular economy practices that result from the experiences and outcomes of research projects. The event language is Portuguese.
Organisers: PPG-DTI UNIFATEA and UERJ CIRCULAR
Time: 11:00-13:00 UTC-3
Monday 26 May
Circular Economy Collage workshop
The Circular Economy Collage is a collaborative 3-hour workshop that looks at the issues of our existing linear economic model and invites you to explore a circular model and its opportunities, using fewer resources, designing out waste and respecting the limits of our planet.
Organiser: Fresque de l’Economie Circulaire
Time: 8:00-11:00 UTC-3
Friday 30 May
Circular economy, big investment: Financing the circular transition in Africa
This webinar will explore circular economy financing in Africa, covering funding mechanisms and investment opportunities to transition from a linear to a circular economy. Experts will discuss the importance of financing, strategies and the roles of investors, governments and institutions to accelerate this transition.
Organiser: Circularize for Change (C4C)
Time: 12:00-13:00 UTC-3