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

The application period for the third round is now open! We are expanding beyond the Nordics and now welcome applicants from around the world. Join us in designing future-fit business on our transformative 8-month development programme!

Apply Now

This 8-month development programme will prepare your company for the circular transition, no matter where you are on your journey. Create a successful strategy and circular product & service offerings supported by expert insights, case examples, concrete tools and industry peers. Previous participants include companies like Konecranes, Lumene, Ecco and Kone. Find here the full list of companies who have already participated.

Why Circular Design Programme?

The aim of the Circular Design Programme is to equip companies for the market transition to circular economy. The programme provides tangible insights, tools and peer support for building successful circular business models and products, aligned with the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products regulation and other market drivers.

Designed specifically for industrial manufacturing companies, the programme welcomes both large companies and SMEs with dedicated R&D and design teams. Unique learning tracks for strategic business development and R&D ensure that the programme supports businesses to effectively implement circular solutions.

News

News
Circularity at Konecranes
Circularity at Konecranes

Konecranes has committed to reducing Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to the 2019 level. Circularity plays a central role in achieving this target, as it provides significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain. To meet the target, Konecranes is committed to enhancing resource efficiency, extending equipment lifetimes, eliminating waste, and keeping materials in circulation. In other words, with circular design, Konecranes is able to transform inefficiencies in value chains into new sources of value. These measures translate into business efficiency as they increase revenue growth from new ways to deliver value to customers, cost savings through resource efficiency, and secure greater resilience against material scarcity and supply chain risks.

Read more →
Once Upon’s Next Chapter: How Once Upon Is Embracing Circularity Through the Nordic Circular Design Programme
Once Upon’s Next Chapter: How Once Upon Is Embracing Circularity Through the Nordic Circular Design Programme

Once Upon is participating in the Nordic Circular Design Programme because they want to take bolder and more concrete action. Circularity as a principle has been part of the company’s thinking but is now being put into stronger practice. As a company creating and selling physical products, in their case photo books, Once Upon wants to take responsibility for its footprint in the world. That responsibility doesn’t stop at their own products but extends across their entire value chain. The programme provides the tools and the space to reflect, learn, and turn intention into clear direction.

Read more →
Easy‑Laser: Designing Precision for a Circular Future
Easy‑Laser: Designing Precision for a Circular Future

Easy-Laser’s ambition is clear: their products should be used as often as possible, for as long as possible, delivering maximum impact with minimal resource use. In this way, sustainability has always been at the core of their business. According to Easy-Laser’s Product Designer Melina Åkesson, sustainability, and specifically circular design, is central to the company’s approach, as it ensures that the material value invested in production remains in circulation for as long as possible.

Read more →
Bringing Circular Value Chains Together: Matchmaking and Workshops in Helsinki
Bringing Circular Value Chains Together: Matchmaking and Workshops in Helsinki

The programme gathered again in a lively networking event and a live workshop in Helsinki, bringing together not only the participating companies but also potential new business partners.

Read more →
Leading circular change
Leading circular change

Transitioning to a circular economy is not only about shifting business models or product designs. It is about changing mindsets and behaviours in your whole value chain in order to ultimately change the entire economic system. How can you be a leader of that change? 

Read more →
The ADKAR model – a framework for change
The ADKAR model – a framework for change

The ADKAR model describes the necessary steps an individual needs to go through in order to commit to a new behaviour. How can you make sure that people are aware the change is going to happen? How can you make them desire this change? How can you make sure they have the knowledge and abilities needed to make necessary changes? How can you reinforce the new behaviour?

Read more →

“NCDP is the first programme combining the executive and development level, which is the key to walking the talk on circularity. Can’t wait to see where that leads us: as a company, as a Nordic region and ultimately as humans on Planet Earth.” 

Iben Johansen, Senior Designer - Sustainable Innovation, Ecco  

The Nordic Circular Design Programme, launched in 2024, and based on Finland’s National Circular Design Programme, is an eight-month development programme aimed at ensuring the Nordic companies' readiness and leadership in the circular market transition.

Run by Ethica in collaboration with its Nordic partners
— the Danish Design Centre, the Norwegian Centre for Circular Economy, Cradlenet in Sweden, and Festa in Iceland — the programme is co-funded by Nordic Innovation.

Apply Now

  • The programme is aimed at SMEs and large companies who:

    • Design and manufacture end products or belong in the supply chains of the manufacturing companies.

    • Have a forerunner mindset and want to ensure their competitiveness in the circular transition

    • Want to align with the EU circular economy requirements, including ESPR compliance.

    • Look for opportunities to network with other companies and build circular ecosystem solutions

    • Are ready to dedicate a team for the eight-month development journey

    Executive Track: For CEOs, CTOs, Business Unit Leaders, Strategy-, Innovation-, Supply Chain- and Sales leaders.

    R&D Track: For R&D and product management and other professionals involved in product & service development

  • Company Size: SMEs and large companies.

    Geographic Scope: Nordic Circular Design Programme is now open to companies world-wide.

    Sector Focus: Specifically for industrial manufacturing companies and companies in their supply chains. Others may also be suitable/eligible.

    Participants: A minimum of 2 participants per company is required, one for executive track and one for R&D track. We recommend more to join (up to a maximum of 6). Ad hoc participation can be okay.

    Circular Maturity: None: you don't need to have any prior circular economy knowledge or actions in place! What matters is that you are curious and that your company is willing to develop your product & service offering.

  • At least one person per track should participate, but the best outcomes are achieved with a larger, cross-disciplinary team. We welcome teams of up to 6 people to join the workshops and guarantee it is effective use of time! (Note that the number of participants in live events may be limited.)

    Participating companies will commit to concrete actions by developing their own strategic roadmap & circular product/service concept during the programme.

  • The programme format is flexible so that you can easily fit it into your schedule. Each track offers online and live training modules consisting of workshops and podcasts. A tailored online learning environment provides additional learning materials and a platform for exchanging ideas with other companies. You can access the learning environment when it best suits you.

  • Upon completing our Circular Design Programme, your company will gain:

    In-Depth Insights: Master the transition to a circular market and stay ahead of future legal requirements.

    Strategic Roadmap: Develop clear, actionable goals supporting your business' sustainable growth.

    Innovative Solutions: Design cutting-edge circular products and services that set your company apart.

    Powerful Tools: Equip your team with the latest tools to measure, evaluate, and enhance your circularity efforts.

    Opportunity to Network with other circular frontrunners.