Current geo-political developments have led to increased attention for ensuring access to natural resources and materials needed for economic and human well-being. This adds up to increased concern on the availability of natural resources (i.e. from an environmental sustainability perspective) as well as the (in-)efficient use of resources and materials (i.e. raison d’etre of the circular economy).
The last 5 years have seen an intense focus of triple helix (entrepreneurs, government and educational institutes) collaborations in the Nijmegen region on circular economy leading to, for example, the Dutch government organizing its national Circular Economy congress in Nijmegen in 2024. This has also led to a variety of innovations based on circular economy principles for which the Nijmegen region is, sometimes globally, known (e.g. diapers, electronics, paint). But where do all these resources go?
Client
The circularity board of Nijmegen, established in 2022, coordinates regional actions leading to more efficient use of resources. The circularity board is part of Lifeport@, an organization aimed at reinforcing the innovation power of small and medium sized enterprises in the Arnhem/Nijmegen region. Lifeport@ works closely together with economic board of Arnhem/Nijmegen, aimed at reinforcing connections in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region from its economic strength.
Assignment
The circularity board lacks insight in what happens to all the resources in the region, and, with the current increased priority of resource insurance, is in need of an overview to aid them in:
1. Decisions on which innovation to support and 2. Connecting with strategy and policy of Lifeport@, the Economic Board and, Arnhem and Nijmegen municipalities and, finally, the province of Gelderland.
Key points of the project:
- Work on the sustainable future of the region
- Mapping the relevant stakeholders and all resource streams
- Come up with creative ways of displaying the information acquired
Kick-off weekend
The kick-off weekend of this think tank will be on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October 2025. The kick-off weekend is a mandatory part of the think tank.
Weekly meetings
The weekly meetings start after the kick-off weekend and will take place on Tuesday evenings from 18:30-20:30 unless the group decides otherwise in consultation with the supervisors. The supervisors attend the meetings once every three weeks.
Study trip
A study trip of three or four days is also part of this think tank. The dates and location will be determined in consultation with the group.