On November 6, 2024, the Institute for a Circular Society (i4CS) brought together a community of researchers, policymakers, and professionals from across public, private, and non-profit sectors at the Mauritskazerne in Ede. The conference, dedicated to advancing the shift toward a circular society, provided a collaborative platform to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Through a combination of structured sessions and open discussions, participants worked together to imagine and shape a circular future, underlining the urgency of a circular transition in water management, food systems, and spatial planning.

A Lively Exchange – Fishbowl sessions

The day’s activities opened with a local lunch and Project Market, where attendees mingled and engaged with showcased projects designed to inspire new approaches and foster immediate connections. While some people joined a sketching workshop, others were emerged in Virtual Reality, trying their luck in the escape room or exploring the various interactive poster presentations.

The conference then kicked off with the morning’s Fishbowl session, supported by Wageningen Dialogues and Hands4Grants. Here, participants delved into the conference’s key themes: Circular Water Systems, Urban-Rural Circularity in Food Systems, and Spatial Strategy & Planning for Circular Regions.

This interactive setup allowed for an evolving dialogue—participants in an inner circle actively discussed their experiences, while others in an outer circle listened closely, reflecting on their insights before joining in. While these sessions where in full swing, Flatland captured the discussions in compelling drawings.

The fishbowl format enabled a cross-pollination of ideas, sparking inspiration that carried into the afternoon.

Open Space Co-Creation and Networking

The afternoon featured an Open Space Co-Creation session, where participants self-organized around specific challenges within the three core themes. This dynamic structure empowered attendees to connect over shared interests and collaboratively explore actionable project ideas. Attendees from diverse fields co-created solutions that emphasized not only technical innovation but also social impact and ecological resilience.

The session underscored the potential for transdisciplinary partnerships in tackling complex issues from multiple perspectives, leading to a fresh wave of ideas that will shape the i4CS agenda in the coming years.

Celebrating Collaboration and Shared Vision

Following the productive sessions, attendees gathered for networking and drinks, celebrating the collaborative energy and the meaningful connections formed throughout the day. Conversations continued over refreshments as participants reflected on their shared goals and discussed plans for translating their ideas into impactful projects.

The i4CS Conference not only generated valuable insights and project ideas but also reinforced a sense of community and shared purpose among professionals committed to creating a sustainable and circular future.

Want to see an overview of the day? See all photos and drawings here. Photos by Ruben May.