Dear student, have you been involved in considering sustainable business models for companies? Would you like to share your experience and learning?

Dear UAS teacher and expert, has your organisation been involved in a circular economy project that you would like to share with others?

Enter the Circular Economy Case Study Competition 2019!

We are looking for a circular economy case studies that can be utilised by UASs! We also wish to make the work done at UASs visible in order to promote the circular economy.

How do I participate?

Enter the competition here at the latest by Thursday 2nd of January 2020 at 8:00 a.m. To enter, you need to prepare a description of circular economy case.

  • Fill out the circular economy case description as instructed.
  • Remember to add page numbers and change footers to the document.
  • Reserve a few full business days to complete the description. In particular, take some time to do the systems analysis.
  • Name the file so that its name shows the name of the circular economy case study, the name of the organisation and your name (e.g. Muvitvex_UAS_NAME_Chris_Smith).
  • It is possible to receive credits for participating in the competition (see below for more information). Initially, discuss your credits with the correct authorities at your institution. The entry link asks for the teacher’s contact information so we know who to contact.
  • Once the circular economy case description is complete, enter the competition here. Fill in the information, include the circular economy case description and submit your registration. Registration will end on January 2, 2020 at 8:00 am.

What are the criteria?

  • We are looking for a circular economy cases that have been designed or implemented since 1 January 2017.
  • In our judging, we will pay attention to the following issues
    • systems thinking
    • new value creation
    • the quality of the documentation and the quality of the possible separate presentation requested for the final
    • feedback received from the development site
    • creativity

With what type of work can I enter?

We wish to understand the circular economy as broadly as possible and we are open to very different solutions. For example, the circular economy in Finland has been defined by Sitra. According to Sitra’s definition, the circular economy is an economic model that does not consistently produce more goods, instead consumption is based on using services – sharing, renting and recycling – rather than owning things. It preserves the value of the materials in society as long as possible. In a circular economy, economic growth is not dependent on the consumption of natural resources.

A student’s circular economy case study can be, for example

  • the result of bootcamps or hackathons
  • the result of course or term projects
  • a thesis
  • some other work done during your studies

The circular economy case study of an organisation can be, for example

  • the result or similar of an externally financed RDI project
  • the result of a project completed with a company (remember confidentiality)
  • or something else in which a UAS has been officially involved

How do I earn credits for entering the competition?

Students who realise circular economy UAS projects can possibly earn credits by participating in this competition. To do that, please contact your tutor or the teacher who teaches the course and show this page to them. The organisations involved in the Circular Economy UAS project are committed to exploring the possibilities of utilising the work you have done by participating in the competition process and the resulting learning can count as part of your studies, earning credits. The document you have written may be, for example, part of a thesis or part of a course.

Any possible credits will be awarded in the spring of 2020 if the registration deadline is met and if your case fulfills the entry requirements and the teachers in your own institution support the application. The initial evaluation is done by assessors from UASs.

When will the results be published?

The results of the competition will be published during march-april 2020. The winners will be notified personally.

What prizes will be awarded?

At this point, we can promise honor, reputation, portfolio content and credits. We are looking for the best sponsors for the competition. If we succeed, we will inform you on this page.

I want to be a sponsor or I would like my business to be developed through student work so that it more closely follows a circular economy. Please contact us using this form.