Circular Design – a path towards circular economy, training programme
About this good practice
In spring 2021, the Finnish Government launched a Resolution on the Strategic Program for a Circular Economy aiming to make the CE the foundation of Finland’s economy by 2035. With this program, the Government wants to strengthen Finland’s role among the trailblazers in a circular economy.
As part of this national program, a unique training initiative was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and coordinated by Design Forum Finland (The Finnish Society of Crafts and Design) and Ethica. Internationally, it was the first national training to focus specifically on circular design and its role in securing companies’ future competitiveness, while also preparing them for the upcoming Ecodesign Directive.
The pilot program was free of charge and open to Finnish companies of all sizes and sectors. It featured two tracks: a strategic one for executives and a development track for professionals in product/service design, marketing, and customer experience. The one-year program included an online platform, virtual workshops, live events, and a public podcast series.
The main stakeholders were funder and coordinators, partners who were implementing the program (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland; the Finnish Environment Institute; Sitra Innovation Fund and 3 design agencies). Participating companies were the main beneficiaries, but the program also aimed for broader societal impact by promoting wellbeing and sustainable economic growth through circular economy practices.
Resources needed
Total budget was 200000€. The content of the program was developed and run by the 2 coordinators. In addition, there were 5 partners who were each responsible for the content of the workshops and podcasts in their own area of expertise.Various stakeholders were utilized to disseminate information.
Evidence of success
Over 200 people joined the program’s online platform. The feedback score was 4.04/5. Participants said it broadened their thinking and offered valuable insights into circular design. A tech company explored material cycles, a footwear manufacturer developed recycling solutions, and a pet product company applied circular principles into its brand strategy. Companies created scalable concepts supporting both their own and Finland’s national circular economy goals.
Potential for learning or transfer
The comprehensive design thinking approach of the training program promotes the integration of the circular economy into the company’s operations. The methods and approach used in the project can be easily transferred to other regions.
After the pilot, one of the coordinators further developed the program based on the learnings and secured funding to implement similar training in the Nordic countries. The Nordic Circular Design Programme, which builds on Finland's Circular Design Training Programme, was launched in October 2024.