JUST2CE aims to understand, in a critical and thoughtful way, under which conditions a responsible, inclusive and socially just transition to a circular economy is possible and desirable. This includes what technical, geopolitical and social factors can enable or hamper such transformation and how these aspects can contribute to the development of transitional policy measures. The key outcomes of the project include the development of an integrated Decision Support System for responsible circular economy practices and macroeconomics analytical tools to design new or improve existing Circular Economy practices.

JUST2CE is part of the H2020-SC5-2018-2019-2020 (Greening the economy in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has 14 consortium members of which ACEN is a member. The appointed responsible person is Katharina Gihring, ACEN, in collaboration with the DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society at the University of the Western Cape. For more information check out the project website here.

Transforming Food Systems in Rwanda - A new project, funded by the IKEA Foundation, to catalyze food systems transformation in Rwanda through circularity, presents an opportunity to translate global ambitions of a circular economy on food systems into real outcomes. By focusing on Rwanda, it is recognition of the country’s leadership role in circularity, and a reminder that Rwanda was the first country in the world to ban single use plastics. Rwanda is also founding member of the African Circular Economy Alliance and GACERE and continues to use the platforms to build interest and momentum on circularity in Africa and beyond.

The project consists of two components: a development track that provides technical and business development support to small- and medium-sized enterprises to improve their ability to utilize circular business models; and a policy track, which aims to create an enabling regulatory framework, and stakeholder engagement, for catalyzing circularity in food systems transformation.

Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot: For the first time on the African continent, Circular Economy Hotspot is happening in Lagos, Nigeria. Stay tuned for updates here.

Circular South Africa (CSA), has the aim to facilitate cooperation, coordination and networking between businesses, government, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations involved in the circular economy to accelerate the just circular economy transition in South Africa by:

• Fulfilling a matchmaker function to connect current and future circular projects with both local and international public/private partnerships to identify further business opportunities and upscale efforts.
• Facilitating the CE transition by creating collaboration opportunities, guiding circular policy decision-making and supporting the execution of CE projects and initiatives.
• Creating a space for knowledge sharing and capacity building within South Africa and abroad.New paragraph