A game-changing programme for forward-thinking Nordic companies and visionary R&D professionals


The aim of the Nordic Circular Design Programme is to equip Nordic companies for the transition to circular business models and products, align them with the forthcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and enhance their competitiveness in the global shift towards circularity.

Designed specifically for industrial manufacturing companies, the programme focuses on medium and large companies with dedicated R&D and design teams. Tailored to align with strategic objectives, the content supports business leaders and product and service development professionals to effectively implement circular design solutions.

Over the course of eight months, this intensive programme will guide 31 companies through the adoption of circular business models and practical solutions, integrating circular design principles into their operations. By the end of the programme, participants will set concrete circular business goals and develop product or service concepts, with some of the content being shared publicly to encourage wider engagement in circular design and business innovation.


  • Our programme uniquely blends circular economy principles with design thinking, offering comprehensive development pathways for both R&D and business leaders. This is a hands-on programme meaning that all modules allow you to work on your own concept idea. This approach empowers your company to simultaneously craft a robust circular economy strategy and innovative product and design concepts.

  • With only six years remaining to integrate ecodesign requirements into your product design and manufacturing processes, and to meet the EU’s green public procurement standards by 2030, the urgency to adopt effective tools and best practices has never been greater.

  • Our programme helps you navigate the complexities of EU regulations, including the Ecodesign Directive and the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), just to mention but a few. These policies are driving the circular economy agenda, requiring companies to conduct materiality analyses and set strategic circular design targets.

    Equip your business with the knowledge and tools needed to stay ahead of regulatory demands and lead the way in sustainable innovation. Join us and become a pioneer in your sector!


Ethica Ltd. has initiated this project to continue the pioneering work around the Circular Design Programme implemented in Finland in 2022-2023.

The Finnish programme involved 50 Finnish companies through a 1-year training, including companies like Stora Enso, UPM, ABB, Kiilto, Genelec, Luhta, Stockmann and Marimekko, among others. Ethica designed and led the execution of the Finnish programme together with Design Forum Finland with funding from the Ministry of the Environment. From the international perspective, the programme was the first national training programme deep-diving into circular design principles and focusing on generating concrete product/service concepts to secure companies’ competitive advantage in the biggest market transition of our time.

The Nordic Circular Design Programme is run by Ethica together with their Nordic partners: Danish Design Center, Norwegian Center for Circular Economy and Cradlenet in Sweden, with co-financing from Nordic Innovation.


“The structure of the Circular Design Programme has been excellent! ​The well-planned workshop materials and preliminary tasks have created ​a great framework for our work.”

Genelec, the world leading manufacturer of Active Monitoring Loudspeakers