Workshops were open to all participants of the conference without prior registration.
Päijät-Häme Circular Economy Forerunner
Subtheme: 1.1. Climate-Smart Circular Solutions
October 9, 14.00-15.30, Seminar room A127
Join us for an engaging session hosted by the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme, a fellow member of the EU’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). The CCRI is dedicated to advancing the circular economy throughout Europe's cities and regions. Come to explore the potential of CCRI and hear about the expertise and existing solution from across Europe and the Päijät-Häme region.
In Päijät-Häme, achieving a circular economy is one of the top priorities within the Green Transition Programme for Päijät-Häme, launched in April 2024. The programme is designed to guide the region's sustainability and green transition. It supports municipalities and other regional stakeholders in meeting carbon neutrality and circular economy objectives. The other two goals are making Päijät-Häme carbon-neutral by 2030 and strengthening biodiversity. The programme focuses on energy, traffic and transport, material cycles, forests and land use, and a sustainable food system.
Agenda:
- Juha Hertsi & Riika Kivelä (Regional Council of Päijät-Häme) Welcome and introduction
- Keynote Natalia Altman (CCRI-Coordination and Support Office) Circular Cities and Regions Initiative: Boosting the Circular Transition
- Annakaisa Elo (LAB University of Applied Sciences) CircSyst: collaboration through circular economy demonstrations
- Joonas Mustonen (LAB University of Applied Sciences) Industrial Symbiosis (CCU), case: Low-Carbon References (Vähähiiliset referenssit)
- Workshop addressing four themes:
- Key factors for profitable CO2-value chain (Industrial Symbiosis)
- Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Challenges
- What are the requirements to make CO2-value chain profitable?
- What is needed from different actors (Companies, Policy makers, public sector, Academia)?
- Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Challenges
- Enablers and challenges in industrial symbiosis and bioeconomy (CircSyst
- How can regions support the development of industrial symbiosis and bioeconomy?
- Key challenges and the role of different actors in overcoming them?
- How the best practices from the regions can be shared with the CCRI partners?
- Co-creating the future: Moving ahead to best support cities and regions (CCRI)
- Participate in a session where stakeholders discuss their experiences with circular initiatives, including CCRI.
- Explore the gaps cities and regions encounter in transitioning to circular solutions, focusing on research, innovation, and policy gaps.
- Contribute to shaping future policy recommendations and support needs for the second phase of the CCRI-Support and Coordination Office, and engage in an interactive discussion on how the European Commission can support this transformation.
- Towards Sustainable Future (Green Transition Programme)
- How do we envision the future and aim for the transition towards a circular economy?
- How can we utilize the creative sector and innovations in our journey towards circularity?
- What is needed to shift our mindsets towards sustainable and regenerative thinking and practices?
This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers, exchange ideas, and build new partnerships.
Contact person:
Katerina Medkova, Project Manager, katerina [dot] medkova
paijat-hame [dot] fi, +358 44 493 8131
Co-Creating Urban Greenery for Climate Resilience
Subtheme: 1.1. Climate-Smart and Circular Solutions
October 9, 14.00-15.30, Seminar room A128
Join us for an engaging workshop, where we will explore how urban greenery can foster climate resilience and improve city life. This workshop, organised by Forum Virium Helsinki—the innovation company of the City of Helsinki—and LAB University of Applied Sciences, delves into re-greening urban areas and enhancing climate resilience. As part of the GreenIn Cities, PilotGreen and MUOKS projects, we will explore nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation, and the role of citizen participation in co-creating greener, more liveable cities.
The hands-on session allows participants to step into different stakeholder roles, tackling real-world urban greening challenges. Through collaborative problem-solving, participants will gain insights into the importance of stakeholder collaboration, the benefits of urban greenery, and strategies for addressing climate change.
This workshop is an opportunity for you to engage directly in co-developing nature-based solutions that could shape the cities of the future. Whether you’re a researcher, city planner, or urban innovator, this session will provide practical tools and inspiration for contributing to greener, more resilient urban environments. Join us in shaping the future of cities with sustainable, innovative urban development solutions!
Agenda:
Mirka Råberg (Forum Virium Helsinki): Welcome and introduction
Mirka Råberg (Forum Virium Helsinki) and Paula Nurminen (LAB University of Applied Sciences): Inspiration: Innovative urban greenery enhances climate resilience and attractiveness – Insights from projects of Forum Virium Helsinki and LAB University of Applied Sciences
Workshop and discussion: Stakeholder Simulation on Urban Greening
Group activity where participants identify key stakeholders, explore their interests, and work on aligning diverse perspectives in urban greening projects.
- Identification of relevant stakeholders and their interests
- Finding ways to balance and align different interests
- Highlighting challenges and opportunities related to increasing urban greenery from the stakeholders' perspectives
Contact persons:
Mirka Råberg, Project Manager, mirka [dot] rabergforumvirium [dot] fi (mirka[dot]raberg[at]forumvirium[dot]fi), +358 50 430 1996
Paula Nurminen, RDI Specialist, paula [dot] nurminenlab [dot] fi, +358 44 708 5248