On 3 and 4 April 2025, the RUN-EU Knowledge Mission on Entrepreneurship took place at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden. The event focused on regional innovation and circular entrepreneurship. People from various sectors, including government, academia, business and society, came together to explore smart and sustainable solutions for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the future.
On 2 April, students had the opportunity to take part in the RUN-EU Short Advanced Programme (SAP) Green Growth. During the programme, they visited several companies engaged in circular entrepreneurship, such as Omrin in Heerenveen, OPNIEUW! in Buitenpost and Ekwadraat in Leeuwarden.
The day of 3 April began with a warm welcome and inspiring keynotes by, among others, Abel Reitsma (councillor), Douwe Jan de Boer (OPNIEUW!) and Max Eisenbarth (Circulair Friesland). In the afternoon, teams tackled design challenges through Design Thinking, leading to creative collaborations around regional issues. Students and experts actively exchanged ideas and worked together on questions such as: what does sustainable entrepreneurship mean? And how can it be put into practice?
On 4 April, teams continued to develop solutions to these challenges and prepared a poster presentation. In the afternoon, they presented their work to fellow students and participants. This moment offered not only space for fresh, innovative ideas, but also for networking and exchange. The day ended on a festive note with the selection of the best student solution, chosen by the attending Knowledge Mission participants.
The ‘Greenloop’ prototype, developed by international students from countries including Finland, Spain, Portugal and Austria, was selected as the best solution. They designed a network system that allows SMEs to directly connect with solutions for their waste streams. “This significantly enhances the circularity growth of these companies,” explained Schülski. “It was also an incredibly valuable learning experience for the students involved.”
The event proved to be inspiring and valuable for the other working groups as well. The Knowledge Mission brought people together to share knowledge and experiences in the field of circular entrepreneurship and regional renewal. The combination of theory and practice, along with the collaboration between a wide range of stakeholders, led to fresh ideas and feasible plans for a more sustainable future. With the insights and contacts gained, participants are now better equipped to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
