Leveraging AI Tools for Business Circular Economy Solutions
This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) addresses two defining challenges for European business: the dual imperatives of sustainability and digitalisation.
Participants will master circular economy principles, analyse industrial material flows, and leverage AI tools to accelerate the transition toward zero waste.
Ready to tackle Europe’s twin green and digital transitions?
This programme gives you the tools, technical knowledge, and creative problem-solving skills to evaluate industrial systems and engineer real solutions that eliminate waste and extend product lifecycles. Through interactive workshops, collaborative sprints, and hands-on industry challenges, you’ll work right at the cutting edge of sustainability and AI innovation. You will map real industrial material flows, harness AI tools to supercharge your thinking, and pitch your team's circular solutions directly to companies at our trade fair on the final day of the programme. Beyond the classroom, you’ll connect with international peers through cultural events, excursions and exciting team challenges.
Embark on this journey through the circular economy, the drive toward zero waste, and hands-on problem-solving challenges.
Join us and build the skills to make a real difference in Europe's future.
15th of February 2027 to 9th of April 2027
English
Participation in this Blended Intensive Programme will be formally recognised by each student's home institution in accordance with institutional and RUN-EU guidelines for Erasmus+ mobility.
BA to PhD students, lecturers, researchers in the disciplines of Business, Digital Innovation, Social Science, Environment & Sustainability, Engineering or Humanities.
Please contact the International Office at your home institution for more details.
Programme at a glance
Module 1: Rethinking value (1 hour)
Principles of the circular economy; lifecycle thinking; regulatory frameworks and circularity metrics.
Assessment: quiz (1 hour)
Homework: required reading (2 hours)
Reflection and Preparation for Face-to-face week:
Online learning path (22 hours) : Review of resources and further region-based group research to prepare for the face-to-face week (08-12 March 2027).
Video production (12 hours): Personal reflection and compilation of individual video
Online (2 hours)
Material Flows, Industrial Systems & Inefficiency Analysis
Systems analysis systems, policies, and flow of materials within industries to assess efficiencies and identify inefficiencies in current practice.
Assessment: quiz (1 hour)
Homework: required reading (4 hours) and research of materials (4 hours)
Online (2 hours):
Exploring sustainability in the context of the UN’s sustainable development goals and relevant European policies and frameworks. Group exercises in breakout rooms.
Assessment: quiz (1 hour)
Homework: required reading (2 hours)
Online (2 hours):
Digital and AI tools for sustainability and sustainable decision-making
Assessment & Homework: (10 hours)
Homework: team-based learning task related to content of Modules 1 to 4 which will include research of circular economy and management of waste in businesses in participants' regions.
Session times: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-17:30 GMT
• What have we learned so far? Synopsis of modules 1-4 followed by circular economy case studies
• Optimising understanding and use of AI tools
• Conducting an individual AI audit
Day 2: 09 March 2027 – Module 6: CSI - Corporate Scrap Investigation
Session times: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-17:30; 18:00-21:30 GMT
• Company presentations to students & tutors. Field trip planned for this element of the face-to-face week
• Presentation of the circular challenge to students
• Cultural Connection Café: an evening of food, tradition and friendship
Day 3: 10 March 2027 – Module 7 - The Loop Lab
Session times: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-18:00; 18:00-22:00 GMT
• Ideation, waste valorisation, AI tool integration and digital innovation
• Initial workings on the circular challenge
• Excursion and dinner
Day 4: 11 March 2027 – Module 8 - Zero Waste Crunch Time
Session times: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-18:00 GMT
• Q&A on circular challenge
• The Circular Sprint: rapid prototyping for zero waste for the circular challenge. Collaborative momentum leading directly into the circular trade fair on the final day
Day 5: 12 March 2027 – Circular Solutions Fair
Session times: 08:30-10:30; 10:30-15:30 GMT
• Setting up for the Circular Solutions Fair
• Group presentations to tutors and stakeholders
• Closing ceremony
Final reflection (homework + online) (10 hours)
Students write a personal reflection on their experience, share it with their group and upload the final result of their personal reflection in combination with the final group conclusion. This can be completed using several media.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:
Explain the principles of the circular economy and distinguish them from linear economic models
Understand how systems, policies, and material flows function within industries and how they contribute to efficient operations.
Describe the principles of waste regeneration and zero waste and explain their significance within a sustainable development framework.
Apply AI tools to support sustainable design decisions, including upstream design, smart waste segregation, and designing products for circular lifecycles
Employ critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity to design strategies and solutions that prevent waste and increase circular economy practices
Selection criteria
Students on Bachelor degree programmes from the participating partner organisations (HAMK, Howest, NHLS, UBU, TUS) will have priority. Further selection criteria will be based on order of submission, motivation and a balanced representation of the RUN-EU member institutions.
Involved organisations and persons
Howest University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Geert Hofman (Instructor)
Häme University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Anu-Maria Laitinen (Instructor)
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- MIhee Haring (Instructor)
- Sanda Ntayiya (Instructor)
Technological University of the Shannon
Lead Organisation- Helen Downes (Regional Stakeholder)
- Niall Killilea (Regional Stakeholder)
- Patricia Quigley (Lead Instructor)
- Peadar Casey (Instructor)
University of Burgos
Partner Organisation- Chema Cámara (Instructor)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
