SPARK the Movement plays a pivotal role in Friesland’s transition to a circular economy by integrating sustainability and circular principles into education at all levels. By fostering collaboration between students, educators, businesses, and policymakers, SPARK creates a learning environment that equips future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development. More than just a training initiative, SPARK emphasises the need for education to address the environmental challenges facing Friesland, such as resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and waste generation. It promotes a deeper understanding of the circular economy as a viable solution while encouraging behavioural change in consumption patterns. Through hands-on learning experiences, interdisciplinary projects, and strategic partnerships, SPARK strengthens regional innovation, enhances the local labour market, and fosters a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the classroom. Recognised by the United Nations as RCE Fryslân, SPARK is a leading example of how education can drive systemic change toward a more circular and sustainable society.

Friesland, like many regions, faces significant environmental challenges, including resource scarcity, waste mismanagement, and the need to transition away from a linear economic model. While the circular economy offers promising solutions, its successful implementation requires widespread understanding and engagement. A key barrier to this transition is the lack of structured education on sustainability and circular principles, as well as a gap in the skills required for emerging circular jobs. Traditional education often fails to adequately prepare students for the complexities of sustainability challenges, including shifting consumption behaviours and fostering a systems-thinking approach. Moreover, businesses and policymakers require a workforce that is not only technically skilled in circular practices but also equipped with the mindset to drive behavioural change and systemic transformation. Without an integrated educational approach, the transition to a circular economy remains fragmented and slow, limiting its impact on both economic and environmental sustainability.

SPARK the Movement was developed as a solution to embed circular economy principles into Friesland’s educational system and broader community learning. It creates opportunities for students, educators, and professionals to engage with real-world sustainability challenges through interactive projects, hands-on experiences, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating circular thinking into curricula across all educational levels, SPARK fosters an understanding of how resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption contribute to a more resilient economy. Additionally, the programme actively connects education to the needs of businesses and local governments, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the skills required for circular jobs such as repair, remanufacturing, and sustainable design. Beyond technical training, SPARK also places a strong emphasis on behavioural change by educating individuals about the environmental challenges specific to Friesland and how adopting circular economy principles can mitigate these issues. Through workshops, events, policy advocacy, and knowledge-sharing platforms, SPARK strengthens the role of education in shaping a sustainable and resource-efficient society.

SPARK facilitates a range of collaborative projects that exemplify circular learning in practice. The “Los met Lisdodde” project brought together students from secondary (vo), vocational (mbo), higher professional (hbo), and university (wo) education with Frisian builders, policymakers, and farmers to explore sustainable applications of the cattail plant (lisdodde). This project aimed to address CO₂ emissions in peat meadow areas by developing innovative products such as cleaning agents, cookies, and diapers. The initiative demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling environmental issues and resulted in further funding from the province to scale up its impact.

Another key initiative involved tackling food waste through the Bread Waste Repurposing Initiative. Partnering with the Bakery Sweets Center, students worked to find solutions for repurposing returned white bread, which is typically discarded. Their efforts led to the creation of 24 new products, including ice cream and beer, showcasing the potential for sustainable innovation in the food sector. These projects highlight how SPARK enables students to apply circular economy concepts in tangible ways while driving innovation across industries.

SPARK has significantly influenced Friesland’s approach to circular economy education by fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond traditional learning environments. The initiative has led to the development of transformative educational frameworks that equip students and professionals with practical skills and a deep understanding of circular economy principles. Schools and universities across the region have incorporated circular thinking into their curricula, while businesses have benefited from a more skilled and sustainability-conscious workforce. Additionally, SPARK has played a critical role in promoting behavioural change among students and the broader community, encouraging more responsible consumption patterns and active participation in sustainability initiatives. By strengthening the connection between education, industry, and policy, SPARK has accelerated Friesland’s transition to a circular economy and has inspired similar initiatives in other regions. The project continues to evolve, expanding its reach and impact through new partnerships and initiatives aimed at scaling up circular education and community engagement.

SPARK the Movement is a recognised Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) by the United Nations, operating under RCE Fryslân. It is an initiative of Circulair Friesland, designed to integrate education into the region’s circular economy transition. The programme is aligned with UNESCO’s five priority action areas for Learning for Sustainable Development, supporting policies that promote sustainability education, developing transformative learning environments, and creating opportunities for teachers and students to engage in real-world sustainability challenges. Through its diverse offerings, including interviews, opinion pieces, webinars, physical and online events, educational manuals, consulting services, advocacy efforts, and pilot projects, SPARK has built a robust network that bridges education with circular entrepreneurship. By fostering collaboration among schools, businesses, and policymakers, SPARK ensures that sustainability education remains a driving force in Friesland’s circular transition. Its efforts not only enhance the local labour market but also empower communities with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to a more sustainable and circular future.