INSET Project Achieves Key Milestone in Advancing Industrial Symbiosis through National Consultation Workshops

Under the INSET project framework, a series of national consultation workshops were conducted to finalize a competency map for capacity building in IS, involving a diverse range of stakeholders across different sectors. 

During April and May, six national workshops were held to validate and refine the competency map created under Work Package 2 (WP2). These workshops were split between online (France, Spain, Italy, Lithuania) and in-person sessions (Slovenia and one in Italy). With a total of 39 participants, the workshops exceeded the project’s target of 25 attendees, ensuring comprehensive feedback from policymakers, VET teachers, industry workers, clusters, and technological parks. 

Discussions during the workshops were guided by a methodology defined by CETEM, covering key areas such as content and curriculum, practical applications, collaborations and integration, IS barriers and challenges, and the complementarity of the IS Planner and IS Manager roles. The emphasis on practical, case-study-based learning, strong collaboration between roles, and integration of IS knowledge into existing educational systems were key highlights. The workshops also addressed IS barriers, legislative challenges, and the importance of stakeholder involvement, ensuring a holistic approach to advancing IS practices and principles in the Circular Economy. 

The stakeholders underscored several essential competencies for IS Planners and IS Managers. Both roles require strong strategic planning skills and the ability to mobilize resources effectively, coupled with an in-depth understanding of local materials, processes, and stakeholders. Effective stakeholder engagement and communication are vital for securing funding and fostering collaboration. IS Managers need skills to drive organizational change and align IS initiatives with broader frameworks like CSR and ESG standards. 

The feedback from the workshops led to recommendations for the training courses, emphasizing the incorporation of real-life case studies to highlight practical challenges and solutions, offering flexible learning pathways to cater to individual needs, and encouraging educational organizations to integrate IS knowledge into their curricula. Raising awareness and building capacity among public administrations and stakeholders were also highlighted as critical components. 

The discussions also emphasized the need for clear legislative definitions to encourage investment in IS projects and showcased examples of local authority support to inspire future initiatives. 

Based on the workshop conclusions, some improvements have been proposed for the competency map, whose final version will be available in June. This map will be also the key input for defining the methodology validation of INSET project in the coming weeks. 

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of the INSET project and the next steps in our journey towards a sustainable future!