A Circular Economy (CE) approach to handling environmental issues aims to decouple economic growth from the use of natural resources and ecosystems by using resources more effectively and sustainably. As will be outlined in this morning seminar, CE is a driver for innovation in the areas of material, component and product-reuse as well as new entrepreneurial business models. The concept of a circular economy approach is that of keeping raw materials and products in productive loops for as long as possible. It is essentially concerned with designing waste out from industrial systems, making them less dependent on the extraction of resource reserves that are by default not infinite. To however foster a transition from a linear to a circular economic approach to sustainability, there is a need that relevant stakeholders including NGOs, Local Councils, Public Officers and indeed Educators become fully aware of the basics of circular economy. In this respect, this seminar will as outlined in the agenda below introduce the concept of Circular Economy, related case-studies as well as introduce seminar participants to a free digital training toolbox complete with an e-learning course that will help them to learn more at their own pace and time. In addition, the e-Learning content making use of new digital technologies such as augmented reality provides participants with a set of resources they can freely use and edit for their own purposes. This seminar is jointly organised by MECB Ltd, a technical excellence and innovation consulting bureau and MCAST, Malta's leading VET Institute.

09.30 Registration

10.00 Welcome & Introduction, Eric Flask, Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at MCAST

10.05 Background on Fostering A Circular Economy (C.E.) Approach, Dr Ing Jonathan C. Borg, MECB Ltd

10.30 Case-Studies of Circular Economy Implementations, Joanna Ellul, MECB Ltd

10.45 Networking Coffee Break

11.00 Hands-on Session of a Modular E-Learning Course on C.E. for Green Entrepreneurship, Ing. Amanda Azzopardi, MECB Ltd

12.00 Seminar Closure, Eric Flask, Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at MCAST

12.05 Light refreshments

• You will be able to acquire valuable knowledge about the hot topic of Circular Economy from local established speakers
• The seminar is free
• You will get free access to an a digital training toolbox on the topic of Circular Economy developed as part of the Erasmus+ Project Engage
• You will get a 'Certificate of Attendance' suitable for your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) records
• One lucky attendee, will have the chance of winning a VR Headset during the event

This seminar will provide participants with access to a free e-Learning course and Circular Economy case-studies that they can freely use to effectively transfer knowledge to others on how to shift from a linear to a circular economy approach. Attendance to this seminar is free but limited to 30 participants on a first come first served basis. One lucky registered participant and who attends this seminar will win a VR headset for use with certain content available on the Circular Economy e-Learning course. To book your place, please register online at http://www.mecb.com.mt/seminar/register by not later than noon, Friday 14th September 2018.

This seminar is supported by a KA2 Erasmus Grant of the Project Entitled 'Circular €conomy Digital Training Toolbox to Foster Innovative Green Entrepreneurs', Project No. 2016-1-RO01-KA202-024493.