What is new in the project?
Curriculum Recognition in the CirCLER Project
The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI) has prepared a structured work plan enabling partners to follow a unified approach when developing national Recognition Pathways. These drafts include concise overviews of legislation, national qualification frameworks, rules for recognising non-formal learning and micro-credentials, as well as other mechanisms relevant to integrating CETM into national VET systems.
CirCLER at Politecnico di Milano: implementing the CETM course through Passion in Action
As part of the dissemination activities of the CirCLER project, the Circular Economy Transition Manager (CETM) training course has been integrated into the complementary Passion in Action courses at Politecnico di Milano. The initiative is promoted by the Department of Design, a project partner, and contributes to the dissemination of competences related to the circular and regenerative transition in the furniture sector.
Trainers Mobility 
From 27 to 29 May 2026, ASLAM hosted the CirCLER Trainers Mobility in Italy, bringing together trainers, sustainability experts, project managers, cluster representatives, and learners from 12 European partner organisations. The three-day mobility combined workshops, study visits, and collaborative activities aimed at exploring how vocational education and training can support the circular transition of the furniture and woodworking sector.
The Green Skills Gap in the Furniture Sector: Data, Challenges, and the CirCLER Response
Europe's furniture sector is facing a growing mismatch between the green skills its companies urgently need and the supply of professionals equipped to deliver them. According to the LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2022, open roles across EU industries requiring green skills have grown at approximately 8% per year since 2015, while the pool of workers with relevant competences has expanded at only around 6% annually. This gap is particularly acute in traditional manufacturing sectors such as furniture, where the twin pressures of circular economy regulation and digital transformation are intensifying the demand for new professional profiles.
Lessons Learned from the CirCLER Mentors’ Club
The CirCLER pilot phase has now been completed, and one thing became very clear: trainers also need a space to learn from each other. That is exactly what the CirCLER Mentors’ Club supported between December 2025 and March 2026. It brought together 21 trainers from across Europe to exchange experiences while the CETM course was running in real time. The Mentors’ Club became a place where trainers could openly compare what worked best in different countries and learning environments.
Join the Mentors’ Club
The Mentors’ Club is open to trainers and educators working with the CETM course or interested in circular economy education in the furniture sector. It is not a formal structure, but a simple way to stay in touch, share experience, and support each other when needed.
Just send us an email to join the network - mentorsclub@forza.org.ua
You will then be able to exchange insights with other trainers, access shared materials, and reach out whenever you need support or want to discuss teaching practice.
CirCLER Partners Review Progress During 6th Consortium Meeting 
The CirCLER consortium held its 6th partners meeting online, bringing together representatives from all partner organizations to review progress and coordinate the final phase of the project.
The adjustment to the original plan remains on schedule, with current efforts focused on dissemination and exploitation activities, as well as the finalization of the Joint Curriculum, training materials, and the CirCLER platform. The dates for the final transnational meeting and closing conference, to be held in Barcelona on 3–4 November 2026, were also confirmed.
Successful “Women Leading R&D&i for a Circular Furniture Sector” webinar highlights the role of women in driving circular innovation
On 10 June 2026, the second session of the Women for Circular Furniture Conferences Cycle took place online, bringing together researchers, innovators, designers, and stakeholders interested in the circular transition of the furniture sector.
Organised within the framework of the CirCLER project, the webinar focused on the contribution of women to research, development, and innovation (R&D&i) in support of a more sustainable and circular furniture industry.