A three-day Circular Minds event took place in Helsinki from 3–5 June 2025, focusing on circular public procurement and policy learning through behaviour change. The meeting was hosted by the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY), a project partner within the Interreg Europe-funded Circular Minds project.
The programme included a workshop, study visit, and project coordination meeting, with a strong emphasis on reviewing and rethinking good practices related to circular procurement—especially in terms of their policy relevance and behavioural impact.
The South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency (DDRIÜ) participated as a project partner. Discussions throughout the event highlighted the importance of scaling up circular approaches and integrating behavioural science-based interventions into policy-making processes.
The first day featured case presentations of already implemented procurement practices in the Helsinki region, including examples of sustainable furniture procurement and reuse of demolition and construction waste. During parallel workshops, project partners analysed these practices and discussed how they could be transferred or adapted to their own regional contexts.
On the second day, participants explored tools to support national-level policy impact. The Finnish Ministry of the Environment introduced the Green Deal agreement model as a key instrument to institutionalise circular strategies. In the afternoon, the study visit provided insights into the operations of the Ämmässuo waste treatment centre and the Ekomo circular economy hub.
The third day focused on project management and preparing the next phase of implementation. During the Steering Group meeting, partners confirmed the direction for further developing the “Capacity Building Tool,” ensuring it remains practical and useful not only for policymakers but also for local actors such as municipalities and public institutions. Preparations also began for an international workshop on behavioural change planned for autumn 2025.
Throughout the project, DDRIÜ plays an active role in supporting policy learning and adapting circular procurement-related good practices to the regional context, with a special focus on behavioural insights and practical applicability. To strengthen this process, DDRIÜ has involved the Central Danube Development Agency (KDMFÜ) as an Associated Policy Authority (APA), responsible for implementing and improving the targeted policy instrument.
The Circular Minds project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Hungary within the Interreg Europe Program.
