Circular Mind: From Learning to Leading (CIRCULAR MINDS)

Europe’s shift toward a sustainable and circular economy demands new skills that combine technical knowledge, digital adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking. However, vocational education and training institutions often struggle to systematically integrate circular economy principles and personal leadership into their regular study programs. At the same time, small and medium enterprises need circular solutions but lack structured ways to collaborate with vocational schools. Circular Minds bridges this gap by bringing together vocational schools, game designers, entrepreneurship experts, and local businesses across five European countries.

Objectives:

  • Integrate circular economy principles and Inner Development Goals—such as critical thinking, collaboration, and self-awareness—into vocational education.
  • Create six modular, open-access learning units designed for online, offline, and workplace learning.
  • Connect vocational students with small enterprises and non-governmental organizations to solve real-world sustainability challenges.
  • Launch an interactive knowledge hub to ensure long-term, free access to all project materials.

Main Activities:

  • Mapping skill gaps, analyze effective teaching practices, and build an impact measurement framework.
  • Developing six hybrid learning units, including three experiential serious games and simulations co-designed with industry experts.
  • Organising challenge cycles where student teams collaborate with local companies and non-governmental organizations to design circular business prototypes.
  • Training of teachers in partner school to confidently deliver hybrid and reflective sustainability lessons.
  • Host cross-border hybrid Think Tank sessions where students, educators, and business mentors validate learning outputs and share solutions.

Expected Results:

  • 6 modular hybrid learning units and a digital platform hosting toolkits, video guides, and case studies accessible to vocational institutions across Europe.
  • Circular business prototypes, feasibility plans and practical solutions developed by students to address authentic enterprise challenges.
  • 100+ trained students & 40+ trained teachers ready to put the resources into practice
  • Engagement with over 2,500 individuals through local dissemination events, European networks, and online channels.

Partners: 
FIRDA (NE)
JGM serious eXperiences (NE)
Academy of Entrepreneurship (GR)
Tartu Vocational College (EE)
CIFP César Manrique (SP)
Elektrostrojarska škola (CR)

Duration: 01.10.2026 – 30.09.2028

Project Manager: Kaire Mets (kaire.mets@voco.ee)