Launched last year at the initiative of the Luxembourg Creative Industries Cluster of Luxinnovation, with the support of the Ministry of the Economy, the Circular by Design Challenge aims to enable the development of new design solutions and innovative business models that are in line with the principles of the circular economy.
It includes a 12-week intensive coaching programme offered to selected entrepreneurs in order to enable them to develop their project idea with the support of one of the challenge’s industrial partners and a dedicated coach.
“Climate change, global warming, depletion of essential resources: the need for a more sustainable society is urgent,” says Marc Lis, manager of the Luxembourg Creative Industries Cluster.
“We are convinced that creativity has a key role to play and the Circular by Design Challenge puts entrepreneurs and their creative spirit at the centre of the solution finding process.”
Five categories
After the great success of the first edition, which took place in the first half of 2021, the programme continues and is now open for entrepreneurs based elsewhere in Europe to apply to participate in one of the following five categories:
- Sustainable Cities
- Industry 4.0
- Fashion design
- Mobility
- National branding
The success of the Luxembourg Creative Industries Cluster, which coordinates the Challenge, illustrates the growing importance of creative industries in economic processes. The cluster has now passed the milestone of 600 registered companies or creatives and has over 2,000 followers on its LinkedIn page.
Fifteen selected candidates
“The constant growth in terms of online followers and newcomers to our cluster community shows that the creative industries are becoming a focal point for other industries in terms of driving innovation. This intersection between creativity, innovation and economy is also reflected in our Circular by Design Challenge,” summarises Mr Lis.
Fifteen candidates will be selected after a selection process that will start on 22 October at 10 am during a webinar that will officially launch this second edition, during which Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot will give the opening speech. Australian designer Leyla Acaroglu (photo) will be the keynote speaker.
In the meantime, European companies with sustainability and circularity needs are invited to contact the cluster to position themselves as project partners. “During the first edition, the partners actively participated in the elaboration of the briefings by category, in order to encourage and target solutions for specific circular needs,” recalls Marc Lis.
Experts and coaches are also invited to submit their intention to participate: business advisors, innovation consultants, intellectual property specialists, designers or marketing and communication professionals are also invited to contact the cluster to join the coaching group.