The Circular Menu of the Northern Netherlands: think differently, act circularly
The circular economy only gains flavor when we cook with the right ingredients. That is why Circulair Groningen Drenthe, Noord-Nederland Verdient Circulair, and the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development at the University of Groningen are organizing a New Year's gathering at the House of Connections on Tuesday, January 27.
Everyone is welcome to participate, either as a participant in a working session and/or as a guest at the drinks reception.
This afternoon will focus on connection, collaboration, and action.
Together, we will build the Circular Menu 2026 and explore how circular thinking can lead to circular action in construction, manufacturing, textiles, and other chains with a broad environmental and social impact.
What can you expect?
A New Year's gathering with substance and energy, with contributions from:
- Jort Kooijman: Realizing circular chains: from thinking differently to acting circularly
How do you translate ambition into action? Jort shows how companies, governments, and chain partners are making the circular transition a reality in construction, manufacturing, and textiles. Using clear examples, he outlines the necessary steps: from policy to implementation, from intention to functioning chains.
- Prof. Ann-Sophie Lehmann: Living Things and Speaking Materials. The Power of Circular Imagination
How do sustainable innovations arise when creativity, research, and collaboration come together? Ann-Sophie highlights the human and cultural side of the transition. Artists, designers, and researchers work across boundaries, learning by doing and thus realizing new connections and solutions. Her keynote speech emphasizes imagination, interdisciplinarity, and joint discovery as accelerators of circular chains.
- Bart Volkers: host of the afternoon
Taste, choose, and connect through working sessions “At the table with the chain”
Discover what works in the Construction (full), Green, Textile (full), and Wood (full) chains, or join the General table for a joint exploration of new chains or projects. Be quick, because the sessions fill up fast!
There is a maximum number of participants per session. Once a session is full, you will no longer be able to select it in the form.
New flavors
Meet partners who can strengthen your plans. This is where concrete collaborations between companies, governments, designers, producers, and students are formed.
Students from the University of Groningen contribute their knowledge and curiosity as researchers, observers, and bridge builders between practice and science.
Cheersing to circular growth
We conclude with a joint toast, informal drinks, and space to meet, inspire each other, and forge new plans.
Everyone can participate, either as a participant in a working session and/or as a guest at the drinks reception.
