RUN-EU Circular Society Event: Innovation Meets Regions 2026 (18–20 February 2026)
📅 18–20 February 2026 |📍NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Discover how NHL Stenden collaborates with regional stakeholders on circular economy challenges across waste, water, and plastics. This three-day showcase brings together industry, research, and innovation for inspiration, collaboration, and networking opportunities with the RUN-EU network. 
Three Focus Areas
♻️Waste - AI (vision) solutions for waste management and resource recovery
đź’§Water - Innovations in sustainable water systems and treatment technologies
🔬Plastics - From plastic alternatives to circular plastic economies
Three days of inspiration
- 11:00 – 12:45
Registration
In front of Auditorium (R8) - 11:30 – 13:00
Getting to know each other Lunch
In front of Auditorium (R8) - 13:00 – 14:15
Opening Peter de Boer and Prof. dr. Evelyn Finnema
Key Notes Speakers Marjella Lecourt-Alma, CEO Datamaran and Dr. Annukka Pakarinen (HAMK)
Auditorium 0.63 (R8) - 14:15 – 15:00
Break
In front of Auditorium (R8) - 15:00 – 17:00
Company Talks Max Eisenberg (VCF), Jan Jaap Folmer (Uppact) and Jacob Terpstra (AVB)
Auditorium 0.63 (R8) - 17:00 – 18:30
Network Drinks & Market
Central Hall R10
- 9:00 – 10:15
Opening by Peter de Boer and Marc Otto
Welcome by Alderman Evert Stellingwerf,
Key Note Speakers Klaas Dijkstra, Luewton Agostinho and Vincent Voet
Audorium 0.63 (R8) - 10:15 – 10:30
Coffee break
In front of Auditorium (R8) - 10:30 – 10:45
Relocation to caroussel locations
Departure to locations from in front of Auditorium (R8) - 10:45 – 11:15
- Visit 'Vision Lab' by Klaas Dijkstra – R10
- Visit 'Technical Lab Plastic' by Vincent Voet – R10
- Workshop 'Waste' by Rudy Folkersma – 1.24 (R8)
- Workshop 'Water' by Luewton Agostinho – 1.35 (R8)
- Workshop 'Plastics' by Willemien Veele – 1.46 (R8)
- Workshop 'Design Based Way of Working' by Patrick van Aalst – 2.49 (R8)
- Workshop 'Behavior & Cicularity' by Bianca Harms and Joris Galema – A2.15 (R8)
- Funding Information Session by Jan van der West – 2.51 (R8)
- Visit to Green Office by Frederique Amting – Green Office (R10)
- 11:00 – 11:15
Board Bus for Company Visit to Wildlands, Emmen
in front of R1 - 11:15 – 11:30
Relocation / Break
Departure to locations from in front of Auditorium (R8) - 11:30 – 12:00
- Visit 'Vision Lab' by Klaas Dijkstra – R10
- Visit 'Technical Lab Plastic' by Vincent Voet – R10
- Workshop 'Waste' by Rudy Folkersma – 1.24 (R8)
- Workshop 'Water' by Luewton Agostinho – 1.35 (R8)
- Workshop 'Plastics' by Willemien Veele – 1.46 (R8)
- Workshop 'Design Based Way of Working' by Patrick van Aalst – 2.49 (R8)
- Workshop 'Behavior & Cicularity' by Bianca Harms and Joris Galema – A2.15 (R8)
- Funding Information Session by Jan van der West – 2.51 (R8)
- Visit to Green Office by Frederique Amting – Green Office (R10)
- 12:00 – 13:30
Lunch including poster presentations from the student colloquium and the Exhibition of Tech
Cental Hall R10 - 13:30 – 13:45
Board Bus for Company Visit 'Water' to Wetsus, Leeuwarden
in front of R1 - 13:30 – 13:45
Board bus for Company Visit 'Waste' to Ekwadraat, Leeuwarden
in front of R1 - 18:00 – 20:00
Walking dinner & Networking
Cental Hall R10
Research Group Meetings
- 13:30 – 18:00
Tourism Research Group Meeting by Anthony Johnson
1.28 (R8) - 11:00 – 18:00
Cyber Security Research Group Meeting by Stephen mcCombie
1.24 (R8) - 9:00 – 18:00
Health Digital services for health empowerment Research Group Meetings by Päivi Sanerma
2.40 (R8) - 9:00 – 18:00
Research Group Meetings - Research group SaSES - Monika Krasteva
0.79 (R8)
- 8:30 – 9:00
Walk in
D001 (R10) - 9:00 – 12:00
Creative Session
A006 (R10) - 10:20 – 10:35
Break
D001 (R10) - 12:00 – 12:15
Plenary Closure
A006 (R10) - 12:15 –
Lunch
D001 (R10)
Research Group Meetings
- 9:00 – 12:00
bilateral meeting Wad gaat om
A0011 (R10) - 9:00 – 12:00
bilateral meeting Vision
A0014 (R10)
Programme Highlights
- Inspiring keynotes from circular economy thought leaders 
- Company presentations showcasing regional circular innovations
- Research group presentations from NHL Stenden 
- Site visits to regional companies working in waste, water, and plastics 
- RUN-EU Technologies and Services Exhibition 
- Student research poster presentations 
- Networking opportunities with participants from industry and academia 
Why Join?
- Meet participants from industry, academia, and government
- Explore cutting-edge circular innovations from across Europe
- Gain insight into regional challenges with global relevance
- Build partnerships that lead to future research and innovation projects
Student Research Colloquium
The Student Research Colloquium adds an extra spark to Innovation Meets Regions 2026. Students from across Europe come together to share ideas, sharpen their research skills and explore how innovation takes shape in real life.
Whether you're a Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD or PD student, you can present your work or simply join in for fresh perspectives and new connections. The Colloquium is part of a three-day programme filled with keynotes, workshops and inspiring sessions, all centred around circular innovation.
Practical Information
đź“Ť Location: NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden
📅 Dates: 18–20 February 2026
🌍 Organised by: RUN-EU partner NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.
Download the guide to NHL Stenden with a list of recommended hotels nearby.
If you require an invitation letter you can download one here.