Global Circular Competencies with Urban Mining as a Case

This research project aims to help designers and design students develop circular competencies and their abilities to act sustainably and responsibly as professionals. The project relates to three SDGs: 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities; and 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. As it is essential that the sustainable transition is global to make a difference, an interdisciplinary and intercultural partnership is established capable of supporting the development of the business sector’s potential.

KEA Design (now EK) is the lead partner on the project. In addition, the following four international partners and four Danish partners have contributed knowledge from research and practice, professional sparring, and presentations, as well as design challenges to be explored. 

Video from the final event held on October 8, 2025, at EK in Copenhagen. More than 160 companies and students signed up to hear about the research results, the 9 circular design competencies that international research indicates are central to the green transition (Sumter et al. 2021), and two presentations from Danish companies who shared their experiences of working strategically and creatively with circularity in their companies.

Presentations from the day and the Catalog of Ideas for Developing Courses and Circular Competencies can be found here: Global Circular Competencies with Urban Mining as a Case - EA Viden