Nordic Circular Accelerator Program

Circular Economy can only be achieved through extensive collaboration across value chains and ecosystems. Successfully sharing data on resources, products, their usage, and location with a variety of partners throughout the value chain, is a key enabler for circularity. Yet, the maturity level of data sharing between companies is still low, and there is a need for supporting companies on how they can utilize data and insights to enable circular business value.

Imagine a future where.

• designers utilized material component details to optimize material usage, durability, and recyclability.
• manufacturers obtained comprehensive material compositions and quality specifications to remanufacture.
• customers had access to product reuse and recyclability options at end of use to optimize product lifetime.
• recyclers had access to product design and material compositions to better extract valuable materials.

To get there, it requires businesses and their partners to navigate data sharing complexities and find answers to questions such as:

How can they.

• achieve value through data sharing and derive insights for decision making?
• encourage harmonization and overcome barriers to data sharing?
• resolve data privacy and security concerns when collecting and sharing data?
• ensure technology platforms are fit-for-purpose for all stakeholders?
• embed collaboration in day-to-day business activity, roles, and responsibilities?

These and many more questions will be addressed in a free, one-year Accelerator program designed to equip Nordic Businesses with the prerequisites necessary to succeed with data sharing to enable circularity.

Why join?

• The Nordic Circular Accelerator stands out by offering tailored guidance on circularity and data sharing. You will learn from leading practices and companies and attend sessions covering topics such as what data and analysis is needed, the value potential, how technical solutions can enable circular data capabilities, and ecosystem collaboration.
• This approach not only addresses specific challenges but also fosters a network for sharing innovative solutions and best practices in circularity and data.
• The participants will accelerate their circular initiative and data insights through:
  • 1:1 guidance: Receive personalized expert guidance to develop and improve your circular initiative and address specific business needs.
  • Network: Access an exclusive network of likeminded companies and leading experts for collaboration and valuable connections.
  • Best practice sharing: Engage in interactive sessions to share knowledge, gain insights from real company cases, and solve business problems for your circular initiative.
  • Capability building: Advance your data capabilities through expert-led sessions, gaining expertise and understanding to navigate data complexities to scale your circular initiative.
  • Influence policymakers: Impact Nordic policymakers by sharing experiences, giving you an opportunity to influence policy recommendations supporting data-driven collaborations.

Program Expected Outcomes

During the free, one-year accelerator, participants can expect to get:

• Fundamental knowledge to leverage data for scaling your collaboration
• Company case examples and expert led sessions
• Concrete approach to address data and circular challenges
• Hands-on understanding of the value of data and insights
• Insight into IT and tech solutions for circular collaboration
• Awareness of upcoming data regulations (e.g., CSRD, CSDDD, Digital Product Passport)
• Access to consolidated learnings and best practices across the Nordics

Application Categories

The collaborations within the program may differ in maturity and circular focus. To simplify the application process, five categories of circular initiatives are developed.

• Circular design
• Product use extension
• Resource recovery
• Traceability
• Other initiatives

Who should join this accelerator?

• The Nordic Circular Accelerator seeks Nordic businesses involved in collaborations on circularity to bring along their collaborative partners and join the program together.
• Your collaboration is eligible for this program if you are committed to enhancing your circular initiative. In addition, the following eligibility criteria needs to be met:
  • Geographic location:
    • The applying company must operate in the one of the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands or the Åland Islands). Collaborative partners can be located outside the Nordics.
  • Collaboration Type:
    • A collaboration refers to partnerships between several actors, working on a circular initiative that require information and data sharing. The maturity of your collaboration could vary, e.g., early-stage (initial phase of data sharing with partners) or more established (mature collaborations formalized into a circular initiative), however, the aim should be to scale your circular initiative.
  • Collaboration Size:
    • Encouraging collaborations of all sizes to apply, with priority given to larger collaborations involving three or more partners. Size is based on the number of partners (i.e., companies, organizations, etc.) in the collaboration.
  • Industry:
    • The application is open to all industries, with priority given to Manufacturing, Construction, Automotive, Textile, Battery, and Electronics.

For more information, visit Nordic Council of Ministers.