Roundtable on Women in the Circular Economy

The concept of a ‘Circular Economy’ is currently high on the political agenda as it can bring a huge potential of economic, social, and environmental benefits. A circular approach can open up a rapidly growing global market for green technologies and services. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum published a report suggesting that over US$1 trillion a year could be generated for the global economy by 2025, and 100,000 new jobs created in the next five years, if businesses adopted a circular economy approach.[1]

However, according to the OECD, the market share held by circular business models is limited, generally representing no more than 5 to 10% in economic terms. Challenges with regard to the implementation of a circular economy model differ between countries and regions, depending on the stage of the transition to a circular economy, the governance structure, and the political focus of the country or region in question.

In Euro-Mediterranean region, women leaders in various industries are already taking concrete steps to achieve more sustainable business practices along with a positive social impact. From food, agriculture, fashion, design, energy and IT, women are helping to create sustainable change through re-thinking, repairing, reusing and recycling. However, their participation could be better if appropriate policy measures and plans are developed to further promote women entrepreneurship in circular economy.

With small investments in relevant policies, awareness-raising and capacity building activities related to responsible patterns of production and consumption, women can be, as many of them already are, the engines of the circular economy in the Mediterranean region.

Objectives

The workshop will be held under the Inclusive & Sharing Cities Track of the Smart City Congress and it aims to hold a close discussion and express different views on the role of women in the circular economy sector. Key questions that will be addressed include:

• What is the level of participation of women entrepreneurs in the circular economy sector in the MENA region, and with African and European countries?

• What kind of schemes and measures can policy makers and cities put in place to raise and facilitate women entrance in the circular economy?

• How can women entrepreneurs from the Mediterranean, including MENA countries, take advantage of the opportunities offered by the circular economy in terms of skill development and business opportunities with other regions, in particular with African and European countries?

• What successful business models can be transferred from the north to the south Mediterranean countries? What are the lessons learned from success and failure?
• How women entrepreneurs in the circular economy sector can improve access to finance?