BRIDGES Recognition Spotlight: Circular Economy Coalition

The UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition is proud to announce the formal recognition of the Circular Economy Coalition as an outstanding example of humanities-anchored, transdisciplinary sustainability science.

This recognition follows a rigorous evaluation of the project’s alignment with BRIDGES’ principles, emphasising its ethical, transformative, and socially responsible practices.

The Circular Economy Coalition (CEC), under the umbrella of Locals.Global, focuses on advancing Circularity4All by ensuring that living, biological, technical and financial resources maintain their highest societal value. It aims to shape multilateral dialogues globally by connecting North and South practitioners. The initiative ensures that circular economy practice moves beyond efficiency and transition towards true transformation. By embedding humanities, cultural awareness, and youth leadership into the heart of circular innovation, CEC creates a resilient model for resource conservation, climate action, and societal wellbeing.

A Humanities-Informed Framework

The CEC recognises that culture and values shape whether circular practices take root. By integrating environmental humanities, arts, and social sciences (such as storytelling, narrative, and ethics) with circular economy methodologies, the CEC makes complex systems accessible, and ensures that circular strategies are socially just and culturally grounded.

This approach is guided by the intellectual foundation of the book Diamond Economics, which provides the framework for moving beyond mere "transition" toward true "transformation."

Transdisciplinary Collaboration and Co-Design

The Coalition deliberately operates at the intersection of multiple fields:

• STEM & Economics: Material flows, systems modelling, and market design.

• Humanities & Arts: Narrative building, ethics, and cultural analysis.

• Social Sciences: Behavioural studies and the sociology of innovation.

Co-design is built into the governance structure. The initiative adopts collaborative, transparent processes to ensure that decisions are driven by the community of practice rather than imposed externally.

A defining feature of the CEC is its commitment to intergenerational continuity. Youth interns and Master’s students act as researchers and ambassadors, translating knowledge and representing the coalition at international fora like UNESCO and the UNEA.

Advancing Circularity through 'Dugnad'

Rooted in the Nordic tradition of dugnad, the concept of collective effort for the common good, the Coalition unites a diverse array of stakeholders. By connecting research and academia, public institutions, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous partners, the CEC co-produces sustainability knowledge that is both practical and inclusive.

Partners, communities, stakeholders

Community of practice: SMEs, circular practitioners, researchers, academia, and youth interns. These actors co-create, test, and curate knowledge and tools.

Community of interest: public sector, policymakers, funders, and multilateral agencies. They benefit from the outputs and apply them in policy frameworks and institutional adoption.

Expected Outcomes:

• Short-term: A curated, open-access knowledge repository of case studies and roadmaps.

• Medium-term: Integration of circular solutions into education curricula and regional business strategies.

• Long-term: Empowered local communities adopting circular solutions that fit their specific material and cultural contexts, alongside harmonised global policies.

Sustainable Development Goals

By integrating the humanities with technical systems, this initiative ensures that sustainability is rooted in social and cultural realities, attending to SDG1: No Poverty; SDG2: Zero Hunger; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG5: Gender Equality; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 15: Life on Land; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

The CEC Manifesto

The manifesto is built on 6 Pillars for a Paradigm Shift, with 24 Principles to Guide the Way: PILLAR 1 – Economic Transformation; PILLAR 2 – Social Equity and Justice; PILLAR 3 – Environmental Sustainability; PILLAR 4 – Regenerative Practices; PILLAR 5 – Innovation and Infrastructure; PILLAR 6 – Collaboration and Policy.

Societal and Planetary Value

Guided by advancing the vision of Circularity4All, the initiative aspires to maintain and utilise resources according to their highest societal value, rather than their highest commercial value. This paradigm shift is crucial for a future where people and the environment thrive in harmony.

The work of The Circular Economy Coalition strengthens the global UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES network and contributes meaningfully to transformative, humanities-anchored community-led initiatives.

We heartily congratulate The Circular Economy Coalition on the official endorsement of BRIDGES recognition and commend their contribution to highlighting how the humanities can drive sustainability science to address modern environmental crises.

Learn More: Affiliated Websites & Social Media

• The Circular Economy Coalition: Official Website.

• Coalition Wiki: Governance, Methods, and Tools.

• Regional Case Platform: (Examples) Circular Regions.

• LinkedIn

BRIDGES Recognition: Are you working on a project that’s making a difference to local communities and our shared planet? Learn more about the BRIDGES recognition programme.