Measures to support shifting Europe’s economy away from a current model based on ‘take, make, dispose’ are likely to become part of European Union law under a new Circular Economy Act, due to be ratified in 2026. At the launch of the EU’s Green Week in Brussels, experts discussed how the creation of a circular economy could support strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the 27-member Union. The moves towards greater official and strategic support for a low-emission, resource-efficient, recycling-based economy, reflect growing grassroots appreciation from civil society, educators and entrepreneurs for greener ways of life, as reflected in the European Training Foundation’s Green Skills Awards, the finalists of which were announced June 2.

In a keynote speech opening three days of talks, roundtables and discussions, Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said global challenges including military and trade wars, and fierce competition for resources, made recycling and supporting a circular economy essential. The Commissioner’s comments closely match the aims of the ETF’s Green Skills Awards, where five outstanding initiatives – from Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye – have been shortlisted as finalists. They were selected from over 250 applications from more than 50 countries.

Tunisia’s Sendi ibtissem gératne – Send me a guarantee – training centre offers rural women tailored progammes aimed at improving their economic and social autonomy. Training in entrepreneurship, crafts, baking, hairdressing and other skills are designed to strengthen practical and theoretical skills, and promote access to resources, networks, and gender equality. Courses emphasise green skills and the circular economy, and the project collaborates with companies that offer internships and job opportunities.

The ETF is also partnering with the EC’s For Our Planet campaign this year. The campaign rewards green skills projects in the area of Circular Economy.  The winning project, from Malaysia, was  showcased at the EU Green Week in Brussels.