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Accelerating Circular Economy Innovation
We accelerate circularity in the intersecting areas of food, health and climate change through an incubation programme and knowledge exchange.
Years active:
2021 - 2022
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Project summary
The ACE Africa project aims to support the growth of circular economy businesses in Africa. Circular economy is a growing area of interest for achieving sustainability across multiple sectors, and it is clear that, in Africa, the private sector is leading the transition to a circular economy. With a focus on the intersecting areas of food, health and climate change, this project will guide entrepreneurs, and new start-ups through an incubation programme and provide a platform for exposure to, and interaction with, mature circular economy businesses, funders and government officers. The desired outcomes are to support a number of businesses to mature, to contribute to improved innovation ecosystems for circular economy, and to provide guidance to local governments on how to improve or support innovative businesses that enhance circular development.
The ACE Africa project aims to support the growth of circular economy businesses in Africa. Circular economy is a growing area of interest for achieving sustainability across multiple sectors, and it is clear that, in Africa, the private sector is leading the transition to a circular economy. With a focus on the intersecting areas of food, health and climate change, this project will guide entrepreneurs, and new start-ups through an incubation programme and provide a platform for exposure to, and interaction with, mature circular economy businesses, funders and government officers. The desired outcomes are to support a number of businesses to mature, to contribute to improved innovation ecosystems for circular economy, and to provide guidance to local governments on how to improve or support innovative businesses that enhance circular development.
Project aims
The project will be implemented in three phases:
- Phase 1 focuses on broadening the understanding of circular development, inviting start-ups and entrepreneurs into the incubation programmes, and upskilling the chosen companies.
- Phase 2 supports the growth and development of these start-ups, and further circular economy businesses through a year-long Action and Learning Festival. The festival brings together circular economy businesses and stakeholders for co-learning and sharing and includes webinar presentations, match-making opportunities, business showcases and city-to-city and city-to-business exchange events.
- Phase 3 documents the learnings that have emerged throughout the project and develops guidance documents, policy briefs and action plans which identify key opportunities and actions for supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses to contribute to African cities’ strategic priorities and wider goals of food security, climate resilience, health and wellbeing, and circular development.
The project will be implemented in three phases:
- Phase 1 focuses on broadening the understanding of circular development, inviting start-ups and entrepreneurs into the incubation programmes, and upskilling the chosen companies.
- Phase 2 supports the growth and development of these start-ups, and further circular economy businesses through a year-long Action and Learning Festival. The festival brings together circular economy businesses and stakeholders for co-learning and sharing and includes webinar presentations, match-making opportunities, business showcases and city-to-city and city-to-business exchange events.
- Phase 3 documents the learnings that have emerged throughout the project and develops guidance documents, policy briefs and action plans which identify key opportunities and actions for supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses to contribute to African cities’ strategic priorities and wider goals of food security, climate resilience, health and wellbeing, and circular development.
Project highlights
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