Circular Economy Hotspot 2027
Are you ready to become the next host city or region for Circular Economy Hotspot 2027?
The Circular Economy Hotspot community is launching an open call to find the next European host for 2027.
It's an ideal opportunity for governments and organisations to highlight local circular practices, from business models and innovative industrial solutions to regional and national policies.
It's an ideal opportunity for governments and organisations to highlight local circular practices, from business models and innovative industrial solutions to regional and national policies.
A successful globetrotting event since 2016
The European Circular Economy Hotspot is an annual event, which has grown from a gathering first held in the Netherlands in 2016.
Slovenia will be hosting the 2025 European Circular Economy Hotspot: Circular Economy Hotspot Slovenia in Ljubljana on September 10-12,2025. The event aims to shine a spotlight on innovative circular economy practices. Its international and diverse outlook promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers and captains of industry from the host country and beyond.
The concept of Circular Economy Hotspot traveled from The Netherlands, where it first took place in 2016 to Luxembourg, Scotland, Belgium, Catalonia, North Rhine Westphalia, Dublin and Wales, while global Hotspots took place in three other continents: North America (Canada), South America (Chile, Brazil) and Africa (Nigeria, South Africa).
Each host puts together a programme that shows how their country or region is contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. The Hotspot events acts as an accelerator.
This year Circular Hotspot host in Europe is Slovenia, Ethiopia in Africa and Mexico in North – Central America, as well as Taiwan in Asia-Pacific.
Hungary has been selected as the host for the 2026 European Circular Economy Hotspot, marking a significant step forward in promoting sustainable practices and fostering global collaboration.
Slovenia will be hosting the 2025 European Circular Economy Hotspot: Circular Economy Hotspot Slovenia in Ljubljana on September 10-12,2025. The event aims to shine a spotlight on innovative circular economy practices. Its international and diverse outlook promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers and captains of industry from the host country and beyond.
The concept of Circular Economy Hotspot traveled from The Netherlands, where it first took place in 2016 to Luxembourg, Scotland, Belgium, Catalonia, North Rhine Westphalia, Dublin and Wales, while global Hotspots took place in three other continents: North America (Canada), South America (Chile, Brazil) and Africa (Nigeria, South Africa).
Each host puts together a programme that shows how their country or region is contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. The Hotspot events acts as an accelerator.
This year Circular Hotspot host in Europe is Slovenia, Ethiopia in Africa and Mexico in North – Central America, as well as Taiwan in Asia-Pacific.
Hungary has been selected as the host for the 2026 European Circular Economy Hotspot, marking a significant step forward in promoting sustainable practices and fostering global collaboration.
How can you apply?
National and regional governments and organisations from Europ are kindly invited to submit applications up until 23:59 BST on AUGUST 27, 2025 by completing the application form below
Candidates are kindly asked to indicate if they apply to host CE Hotspot in Europe.
Applications will be shortlisted by a small panel of Slovenian Government representatives and previous Circular Economy Hotspot Event hosts, with all applicants notified of decisions by September 3, 2025.
Shortlisted applications will be invited to present their case in the morning of September 10, 2025 to former, current, and future CE hotspot organizers. Each candidate will have 10 minutes to pitch their proposal for hosting in 2027 (and 5 minutes for Q&A).
On 11th of September, 2025 in the afternoon, the jury’s decision will be announced at the opening ceremony of Slovenia’s circular economy hotspot 2025 conference.
Candidates are kindly asked to indicate if they apply to host CE Hotspot in Europe.
Applications will be shortlisted by a small panel of Slovenian Government representatives and previous Circular Economy Hotspot Event hosts, with all applicants notified of decisions by September 3, 2025.
Shortlisted applications will be invited to present their case in the morning of September 10, 2025 to former, current, and future CE hotspot organizers. Each candidate will have 10 minutes to pitch their proposal for hosting in 2027 (and 5 minutes for Q&A).
On 11th of September, 2025 in the afternoon, the jury’s decision will be announced at the opening ceremony of Slovenia’s circular economy hotspot 2025 conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the jury decide on the winner?
The jury will evaluate the quality (programme, network, innovative elements) of the programme, executability (organisation, passion/drive, funding) and Local Impact. Originality will be appreciated. Some previous Hotspot emphasized the regional aspects or social aspects, the inclusion of Youth or the reconversion of an old mining site in the most sustainable industrial area. What will be your angle?
Will there be funding available?
The programme should fund itself independently. Typical sources are cities or regions or governments supplemented by private sponsors from frontrunning CE companies. Potential support could come from international institutions or financial Institutions or leading knowledge institutes. In kind support is likely from local CE Hubs, Universities, Embassies, EU, Civil Society, multinationals and SME’s. HCH and the CE Hub network should be ideally invited even more as they will try to find an international sponsor for additional international collaboration support. This should be accepted by organisers.
The jury understands that at the moment of pitching not all commitments to organize an event are hard and all contracts have been signed. It is important to convince the jury that you will be able to pull it off in time. What does a CE Hotspot Event look like?
For inspiration only we share some set-ups from previous events. The event normally lasts 2 to 3 days. It starts with a welcome reception at a symbolic location followed by a conference day with presentations, workshops, exhibitions. The last day is often an excursion day among local/regional best practices by theme. Matchmaking can be part of the event.
We normally see programming geared for a number of market segments that have local momentum from economical, environmental and transition readiness potential (think of construction, agrifood, plastics, manufacturing, textiles etc.) and a number of transversal items/challenges (Leadership, metrices, EPR, procurement, design) as well as links with Climate, SDG’s, jobs. Some of the market segments and the transversal elements have a very clear international component (hence international collaboration and programming is more than desirable for a CE Hotspot event).
The name (~Circular Economy Hotspot Slovenia or The Netherlands Circular Hotspot) and logo should be congruent with previous Hotspot events.
Who should be part of a CE Hotspot Event?
The event should be a circular economy event with triple or quadruple helix interaction and set-up: we need all stakeholders on board (public, private, knowledge institutions and civil society). It is not a regulatory driven event (public) nor a business best practices event only.
Will there be funding available?
The jury understands that at the moment of pitching not all commitments to organize an event are hard and all contracts have been signed. It is important to convince the jury that you will be able to pull it off in time. What does a CE Hotspot Event look like?
Who should be part of a CE Hotspot Event?
