DETAILS OF THE PROJECT
ETCASE runs over 3 years (11/2023 – 10/2026) and comprises 3 interconnected modules:
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Insights into attitudes and behaviors of youth regarding the circular economy through surveys, experiments, and innovation labs. Development of a handbook as a basis for teaching.
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES
Design and testing of measures to actively involve students and schools, e.g., through re-use centers, workshops, and competitions.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Development of innovative, target group-specific teaching materials and training concepts for teachers to integrate circular economy topics into the curriculum. Through this holistic approach, we aim to sustainably empower secondary schools to firmly establish Circular Economy Education in everyday school life.
PARTNERS OF THE PROJECT
VSB-Technical University of Ostrava
VSB-Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) is a public institution with over 170 years of history, educating approximately 12,000 students annually across seven faculties and five research centers. The university excels in technical education, offering programs in IT, biomedicine, economics, material technology, mining, and construction. A key component of VSB-TUO is the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET), which focuses on sustainable energy and environmental technologies. The Faculty of Economics (FE) at VSB-TUO, involved in many international projects, will directly contribute to the project, bringing expertise in green transformation and economic research. The university is actively involved in research on the transition of coal regions and provides extensive further education programs.
UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS IN KATOWICE
The University of Economics in Katowice (UEK), founded in 1937, is the largest and oldest business school in the region, educating around 8,000 students annually across its Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral programs. Located in Upper Silesia, the university focuses on business and economics education, preparing graduates for modern labor market demands. Known for its commitment to research and international collaboration, UEK contributes to addressing regional and global economic challenges, including the green transformation.
UNIVERSITÀ
OF BARI ALDO MORO
The Department of Economics and Finance (DiEF) at the University of Bari is a multidisciplinary research unit with expertise in fields such as Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, IT, and Law. DiEF employs 64 academic staff and runs multiple degree programs, including an international Master in Economics of Globalisation and European Integration. The department is involved in numerous national and international research projects, focusing on topics like socio-economic risks, sustainability, and urban mobility. DiEF also engages in public initiatives to promote technological and social development and supports researchers’ mobility and innovation transfer.
ANHALT UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Anhalt University, a state university in Germany, offers innovative research and teaching at its campuses in Bernburg, Dessau, and Köthen. With around 8,000 students, the university emphasizes practical education and career readiness across its seven departments. It integrates project work and practical theses into its curriculum, ensuring students can apply their knowledge directly. Anhalt University is known for its small study groups, e-learning opportunities, and strong connections with industry, providing an ideal environment for starting a career in Germany or abroad.
Institute for Sustainable Development of Settlements
The Institute for Sustainable Development of Settlements (IURS) is a non-profit civil association in the Czech Republic, established in 2001. It aims to raise awareness of urban issues and support sustainable urban development. IURS collaborates with municipalities, offering expertise in spatial and urban planning, and has participated in various projects related to climate change mitigation and the EU green deal. It conducts educational activities for different audiences, including primary school children and university students, and provides training for municipal representatives.
University of Akureyri
Located in North Iceland, the University of Akureyri (UNAK) is known for its academic excellence and contribution to regional economic growth. UNAK offers programs across three schools: Business and Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health Sciences, serving around 2,300 students. The university emphasizes flexible learning, with all courses available both on-campus and online. The Centre of Teaching and Learning (CTL) at UNAK supports faculty development in teaching methodologies and technology integration, ensuring high-quality education standards.
Center ponovne uporabe
CPU is a non-profit social enterprise in Slovenia, focusing on waste prevention and reuse activities. It operates a network of reuse centers and social activation programs, providing employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed. CPU’s activities include collecting, repairing, and selling reusable items, and it actively participates in international projects related to the circular economy. The organization combines expertise in social entrepreneurship, ecology, and support for vulnerable groups, promoting green social innovation and sustainable resource use.
GRID-Warsaw
The UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre, part of the National Foundation for Environmental Protection (NFOS), is an NGO established in 1991. It is a member of the Global Resource Information Database (GRID) network, focusing on sustainable natural resource management. NFOS/UNEP collaborates with national and international partners on various environmental and sustainability projects. It coordinates the SDG Partnership “Together for the Environment” and the Climate Leadership programme, supporting businesses in Poland on their path to climate neutrality. The centre also manages the GLOBE education program, enhancing students’ knowledge in sustainability and life sciences.
ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY
Re-Use Centers: One Person’s Waste, Another Person’s Raw Material
What if the value of a material depended less on what it was originally made…
Innovation Labs: Students Redesigning the Way We Live
What would change if students were not only taught about sustainability, but also given the…
Materials
Teachers HandbookDownload Expert Transfer Strategy HandbookDownload
From Take-Make-Dispose to Circular: Understanding the Circular Economy
The way we produce and consume today is based on a linear “take-make-dispose” model where…
From Knowing to Doing: What Young People Need to Learn About the Circular Economy
The transition towards a circular economy is not only a question of new technologies or…
It Takes More Than One to Make Change: How to Build Lasting Partnerships for Circular Economy Education
Bringing circular economy into education often means reaching beyond the school walls and connecting with…
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