After two years of collaborative work across Europe, the ENDURANCE – Green Accelerator for EU Clusters project closes its chapter on September 30 , 2025, having delivered a comprehensive toolkit, pedagogical resources, and policy guidance aimed at embedding sustainability, innovation, and the European
Green Deal strategies into cluster ecosystems, SMEs and accelerators.

Launched under the co-funding of the European Union, ENDURANCE set out to develop a green acceleration methodology for cluster management teams to catalyze eco-innovation strategies, foster green growth, and facilitate the green transition across European industrial and value-chain clusters.

As ENDURANCE formally ends, the insights and tools it has produced do not vanish. Rather, they are positioned to act as a springboard:
Cluster organizations can adopt and adapt the methodology to suit their regional specificities and sectoral contexts.
SMEs and startups integrated into clusters can benefit from ready-made frameworks to advance their eco-innovation and green transformation.
Policy makers and regional authorities can draw from the policy papers and case studies to support cluster strategies aligned with European Green Deal objectives.
Educators and trainers can continue to deliver modules, workshops, and capacity building using the materials developed under ENDURANCE.

🌍♻️ Exciting opportunity to connect with experts!
From 8–12 September, join us on the Green Forum's Circular Economy Leaders Community to ask your questions directly to:
✨ Anika Schumann, Digitalisation & Innovation Advisor
✨ Martin Kerres, Climate Change & Organic Waste Management Advisor
(GIZ Global Programme Go Circular)
They’ll share experiences on:
- The PREVENT Waste Alliance, a global partnership for circular economy
- PREVENT Working Groups on Organic Waste (including a project on Black Soldier Flies 🪰) and Digitalisation (such as litter monitoring and digital circular economy solutions)

👉 Just join the Circular Economy Leaders Community
and post your question!
👉 How to join:
Become a member of the Circular Economy Leaders Community
on the Green Forum: https://thegreenforum.org/group/343/about
Post your questions directly in the group discussion
Let’s learn from global practitioners and advance the circular economy together! 🌱

Ana Birliga Sutherland (Writer & Editor at Circle Economy) and Marvin Nusseck (Finance Lead at Circle Economy) reflect on the findings of the recent Circularity Gap Report Finance.

Since 2018, Circle Economy has tracked the circularity of the global economy—revealing that just 6.9% of materials are cycled back into use today, a sharp drop from 9.1% in 2018. The latest report adds a new dimension: finance. Despite the urgent need to accelerate circular solutions, only 2% of tracked investments are directed towards circular business models, highlighting both a critical gap and an untapped economic opportunity.

Read the full blog to explore how capital can play a transformative role in scaling circularity and building more resilient economies.

We are proud to share that our joint study with Brazil's Ministry of Finance and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro on the Ecological Transformation Plan (ETP) was featured on CNN Brasil.

Our research, based on a rigorous macroeconomic model, shows that the full implementation of the ETP could boost GDP, create up to 2 million jobs, and accelerate decarbonization.

This is a powerful message that aligns economic growth with climate goals and environmental preservation. It shows how strong, collaborative policies can drive positive change and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Read more:

? Online Launch Webinar | From Pledges to Pathways: Aligning NDCs and LT-LEDS to accelerate global climate action

? Date: Monday, 21st July 2025
? Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (CEST)
? Venue: Online

Hosted by the Global Green Growth Institute, facilitated by GGKP, this event highlights the importance of aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to effectively address climate change and achieve the ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and enhancing climate resilience in line with the Paris Agreement.

Throughout the session, the newly published guide “Aligning NDCs and LT-LEDS: A step-by-step guide for practitioners”, jointly developed by the GIZ SPA programme and GGGI, will be launched and presented. In addition, the panel discussion will feature insights of climate experts from UNFCCC, GIZ, NDC Partnership, and government representatives.

? Join us to explore how aligning NDCs and LT-LEDS can foster successful and credible climate action framed by long-term national strategies!

For more details, please visit: https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/webinar/pledges-pathways-aligning-n…

Securing a sustainable plastics future for Southeast and East Asia
30 July 2025 from 10:00-11:15 CEST

Plastic pollution is an urgent global concern, presenting a significant challenge in the transition towards sustainable economies. Southeast and East Asia are no different. Since 1990, plastics use in the region has multiplied ninefold while plastic waste has increased elevenfold. Curbing plastic pollution is essential in this region, which is vulnerable to its impacts. Many countries in this region have extensive coastlines and densely populated coastal cities near major river systems, which act as key conduits for plastics to seep into the environment.

How are countries in Southeast and East Asia taking action to beat plastic pollution? What is the plastics outlook for this region, with and without more ambitious policies? What is the role of regional co-operation in successfully tackling plastic pollution?

Join us at the next OECD Green Talks LIVE webinar on 30 July 2025 from 10:00-11:15 CEST as we discuss these questions during the launch of the Regional Plastics Outlook for Southeast and East Asia. Shardul Agrawala, Head of the Environment and Economy Integration Division at the OECD Environment Directorate will be joined by OECD Environment Economist Ruben Bibas and Junior Environmental Policy Analyst Elena Buzzi to present key findings from the report. The webinar will feature a panel of policymakers and regional stakeholders and be moderated by Jo Tyndall, Director of the OECD Environment Directorate. During the discussions, speakers will unpack the dynamics of plastic flows within the region, take stock of current policies and highlight key gaps to be bridged to end plastic pollution.

Register: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/3117520557713/WN_7A2PZgKbR6i…