This innovative project envisions the development of an interactive, needs-oriented online Circular Economy (CE) labor market ecosystem and skills mapping and provides a training package for employed and unemployed persons to equip them with basic skills in CE-related jobs like recycling management, reuse and remanufacturing opportunities, and servitisation (services instead of products) development. CICLO and its training accredited partners will secure the recognition of skills and qualifications of CICLO participants based on the EQF, and the ECVET maximizing their potential for access to the labor market and for social and financial integration.
The project started in October 2019 and will have a total duration of two years. It is coordinated by the Organization “Nezisková organizácia Centrum kontinuálneho vzdelávania” (Slovakia). The other participant Organizations are “Center for Social Innovation Ltd.” (Cyprus), “Stimmuli for Social Change” (Greece), “Meath Community Rural and Social Development Partnership Ltd” (Ireland), “Fondo Provinciale Milanese per la Cooperazione Internazionale” (Italy), “PRISM-Promozione Internazionale Sicilia-Mondo” (Italy), “PRISM-Promozione Internazionale Sicilia-Mondo” (Italy), “Instituto Politecnico de Santarem” (Portugal), and “Magenta Consultoria Projects SL” (Spain).
During the past months the partners worked on their national research reports regarding the current and prospect forms of the CE ecosystem and skills that can be upgraded through ICT tools, the gaps in these fields, and the needs of the target groups in the partner countries and the EU. Those reports were a compilation of findings from desk research, focus groups, interviews, and online surveys, the results of which were resumed and compiled in the book “CE Skills Ecosystem and Methodological Framework”. The main findings of the transnational research report were:
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Consumers, companies, and stakeholders lack both environmental awareness and knowledge about CE practices and benefits in the environment and economy.
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Between the enterprises, some skills and will to engage in CE exist; though the legislation is not moving forward and is not providing enough support for the relevant change towards CE.
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There is a lack of cooperation, economic governmental support, and proper infrastructure for the businesses and industries to tackle the transition to CE. EU partner countries should implement better procedures to ensure the transition to CE and dissemination of its practices.
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There is lack of knowledge and trained labor force; because of that a need for training in CE arises as a major factor in the implementation of its practices both for the general population and companies. Some promising steps in training are being taken, such as in Ireland and Spain.
The transnational research report was sent for peer review to an external expert in each partner country and was described as “an excellent starting point [for stakeholders and CICLO’s continuation] due to the transparency and completeness of the information provided”. The transnational peer review report showed among other findings that the:
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Results of each country are considered of high value, as they give an up-to-date view of developments in CE in the partner countries along with conclusions and recommendations regarding the training needs for CE in them.
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Main practical conclusions are clearly explained, and the types of barriers that the society may face in the adoption and establishment of CE systems are well-described.
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Research report offers an accurate explanation of the situation in the countries involved in the CE project as well as the European and national legislations. The good practices presented give an idea of how steps have been taken in the direction of CE in the participating countries; their challenges and gaps could be described further for better implementation of those.
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Amount of information collected and the number of participants in the different activities offer a reliable and transparent view regarding CE in the partner countries.
For more details, the transnational peer review report can be found on the Website of CICLO, which can also provide further information on future actions, events, news, and other relevant material that will be produced at the next stages of the implementation of the project.
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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This document reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.