Many educational institutions want to integrate circular design into their teaching, but knowing where to start can be a challenge. This September, CIRCO is launching an international Train-the-Teacher Programme in the Netherlands, designed to help educators confidently bring circular design into their own classrooms.
Who is this for? This Train-the-Teacher Programme is designed for international educators, lecturers, and teaching professionals who want to integrate circular design into higher education, vocational education, or practice-based learning programmes. Learn more about the programme or register your interest today.
Day 1: From inspiration to implementation
This three-day programme is designed to help educators move from inspiration to practical implementation. It begins with CIRCO’s certified Train-the-Teacher Programme: an intensive one-day training introducing CIRCO’s proven circular design methodology, educational approach, and ready-to-use teaching toolkit.
During this first day, participants will learn how to facilitate CIRCO’s hands-on Student Class format, which helps students understand why circular economy matters and apply circular design principles to real-world challenges. Educators receive practical teaching materials, facilitation tools, presentation decks, and exercises they can immediately use within their own institution.
The wider programme builds on this with opportunities to exchange knowledge with fellow international educators, gain inspiration from Dutch examples in circular education and practice, and explore how circular design is being applied in real-world settings. The aim is not just to introduce the methodology, but to help participants leave with the confidence, tools, and network to bring circular design education into their own classrooms.
Day 2 and 3: Learn from the Dutch circular ecosystem
Training is only one part of the experience. To bring circular economy to life, the programme also includes a two-day study tour across the Netherlands, giving participants direct exposure to circular innovation in both education and industry.
Visits include Dutch universities of applied sciences already integrating circular design into their curricula, as well as leading businesses putting circular business models into practice. By connecting the classroom with real-world implementation, participants will gain practical examples, fresh inspiration, and tangible insights they can adapt to their own educational context.
Join a growing international network
In the Netherlands, CIRCO has already trained more than 400 educators from universities, vocational institutions, and universities of applied sciences in its methodology. This has created a powerful snowball effect, with these educators collectively reaching an estimated 1,000 students each year through circular design education.
Now, that same practical expertise is being opened up to an international community of educators. Beyond certification, the programme offers opportunities for knowledge exchange, future collaboration, and stronger connections between education and the wider circular economy ecosystem.
Practical information
Dates: 23 – 25 September 2026
Location: The Netherlands (exact location to be confirmed)
Who is this for? International educators, lecturers, and teaching professionals in business, engineering, design, technology, and related fields
Programme format: 1-day certified Train-the-Teacher Programme + 2-day study tour
Places available: Limited
Participation fee: to be announced
Interested? Register your interest now!
Want to bring circular design into your curriculum? We’d love to hear from educators interested in joining this first international edition of the Train-the-Teacher Programme. Register your interest now.