Zasavje’s Circular Academy 2.0: Learning from Scotland’s Circular Economy Leaders
From 10–12 June 2025, a delegation from the Zasavje region successfully completed a study visit to Scotland as part of the Zasavje Circular Academy 2.0, coordinated by Circular Change in cooperation with the Center for Just Transition Zasavje (RRA Zasavje) and local partners.
The visit was part of broader activities supporting the region’s fair and circular transition, providing participants with hands-on insights and inspiration from one of Europe’s leading circular economy ecosystems.
The delegation — comprising representatives of RRA Zasavje, the Zasavje Chamber of Commerce, CEROZ d.o.o., Center DUBT (National Institute of Chemistry), Municipalities of Trbovlje and Litija, JP Komunala Zagorje, Skitti d.o.o., Avenia-M d.o.o. – Non Tox Uni Kum, and the Civil Initiative for Eco-Social Progress of Zasavje — explored how Scottish public institutions, businesses, and communities are implementing circular practices across sectors.
Connecting Slovenia and Scotland: Circular Change in Action
Upon arrival the delegation met with Ana Wersun, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Edinburgh. She presented the Consulate’s role in supporting sustainable cooperation and expressed interest in strengthening connections between Slovenian and UK circular initiatives. This meeting set the tone for a mission built on collaboration and knowledge exchange.
““The purpose of this mission is to build upon local just transition strategies by identifying concrete measures that strengthen circular business models and foster international collaboration. Through the exchange of good practices, we aim to empower Zasavje as a region of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable transition.””
Zero Waste Scotland & Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
The first official visit led the delegation to Zero Waste Scotland | Inspiring change to fight the climate crisis , a government-backed agency at the forefront of implementing Scotland’s “Rewiring the Economy” strategy. Discussions focused on programmes that enable businesses to integrate circular practices, financing mechanisms for circular innovation, and Scotland’s national circular transition framework.
Later, the group visited the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, where they learned how the city translates circular principles into action through its Circular Glasgow initiative. The city’s approach rests on five strategic pillars:
Clean and innovative industry development
Preservation and reuse of built heritage
Regeneration of brownfields
Science and technology integration
Revitalisation of traditional industries, such as shipbuilding
The meeting took place in the Chamber’s historic building — a symbol of Glasgow’s long-standing entrepreneurial spirit.
Michelin Innovation Park & Binn Ecopark
Day two took the participants from urban Glasgow to two of Scotland’s flagship circular innovation sites.
At Michelin Innovation Park in Dundee, they explored how an industrial site once dedicated to tyre production was transformed into a thriving innovation campus that supports clean-tech startups and circular manufacturing. The Park exemplifies how brownfield redevelopment can become a launchpad for sustainable growth.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Binn Ecopark, a former landfill that has evolved into a renewable energy and waste management hub. The Park integrates waste processing and energy generation — powered by wind and solar — achieving high levels of self-sufficiency and low environmental impact.
The day concluded with a meeting with H.E. Sanja Štiglic, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Kingdom. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of circular economy and sustainability, with the possibility of a Scottish delegation visiting Zasavje in 2026.
Reuse HUB, Stirling
The final day brought the delegation to the Reuse HUB in Stirling — a community-driven initiative that extends product lifecycles through repair, reuse, and “library of things” services. The HUB combines social entrepreneurship, education, and environmental impact, showing how community participation can drive tangible circular results while strengthening local solidarity.
From Scotland to Zasavje: Turning Inspiration into Action
The study visit enabled Zasavje stakeholders to gain first-hand experience of how circular economy principles can be embedded in business models, community projects, and policy frameworks. The acquired knowledge will directly inform the region’s ongoing efforts to establish pilot Circular Business Zones and to accelerate Zasavje’s just and circular transition.
The activities are conducted within the Center for Just Transition Zasavje and fully financed through the Just Transition Fund.
Next Step: Circular Business Zone Workshop – 18 June 2025
The journey continues in Zasavje, where the Center for Just Transition invites stakeholders to an interactive workshop titled:
“Circular Business Zone – Your Role and Business Opportunities.”
Wednesday, 18 June 2025 - RRA Zasavje, Kolodvorska cesta 2, Zagorje ob Savi
The workshop will build on the insights from Scotland and bring them into practice — shaping the vision for the pilot Circular Business Zone Kisovec and mapping key stakeholders and opportunities for circular transformation across the region.
