In a world where resources are finite and sustainability is no longer optional, circular entrepreneurship is emerging as a future-proof approach for businesses. But how do you take the first step? That’s exactly what a CIRCO Track offers: a structured, hands-on, three-day program that helps companies redesign their products, services, and business models using circular principles. With expert guidance, real tools, and sector-specific knowledge, participants leave with a practical, ready-to-implement plan for a circular future. 

What is a CIRCO Track? 

A CIRCO Track is an interactive design process in which entrepreneurs, designers, and innovators from the same sector collaborate under the guidance of certified CIRCO trainers. Through workshops and peer exchange, they explore questions like: 

- Where does value loss occur in your value chain? 

- What circular solutions suit your product? 

- What would a circular business model look like? 

- Who do you need to partner with? 

- And most importantly: how do you make this a reality within your organization? 

CIRCO Tracks are offered for a wide range of industries, including: 

- Construction and biobased materials 

- Plastics and packaging 

- Consumer goods 

- Manufacturing and engineering 

Participants are challenged to reimagine their business—not just from an environmental lens, but from a strategic and competitive perspective. CIRCO is a national program supported by the Dutch government, designed to stimulate the shift towards a circular economy by activating companies and creative professionals. The method is gaining traction both nationally and internationally as a proven approach to help businesses become climate-proof and future-ready. 

From small family-owned manufacturers to innovative scale-ups, CIRCO Tracks in Fryslân are helping businesses unlock circular potential—not just in what they make, but in how they think. 

CIRCO Hub Fryslân: Making circular business concrete for SMEs 

Since 2021, Vereniging Circulair Friesland (VCF) has been the official CIRCO Hub for the province of Fryslân. That means we organize all CIRCO Tracks and demo sessions in the region, in close collaboration with national CIRCO trainers. 

“Circular business models offer great opportunities for SMEs. As a regional partner, we make those opportunities tangible by offering CIRCO Tracks to companies in our network,” says Evert Jan van Nijen, Managing Director of VCF. “Every participant leaves with a newly developed business model and a circular product or service design.” 

Each track brings together 8 to 12 companies from the same industry, allowing them to learn with and from one another, while also connecting to a wider ecosystem of entrepreneurs and experts working on similar challenges. 

And perhaps most importantly, it helps businesses move away from isolated efforts and towards shared innovation.“By sharing knowledge and working together, we can truly do things differently.” – Jan Slagman, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Europrovyl 

Participating in a CIRCO Track delivers both vision and action: 

- A clearly defined, short-term plan to implement circular practices 

- A long-term roadmap for circular transformation 

- Stronger connections with value chain partners 

- Up-to-date knowledge and concrete design tools 

- Greater resilience and competitiveness 

- Insights into future market developments and legislation