NEWS
RUN-EU Circular Society Event 2026 connects European frontrunners in Leeuwarden
18 March 2026
From 18 to 20 February 2026, the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL Stenden) welcomed more than one hundred international researchers, students and professionals to Leeuwarden for the RUN-EU Circular Society Event: Innovation Meets Regions 2026. For three days, the Northern Netherlands became a European meeting place for circular innovation.
Friesland proved to be a fitting host region: the province achieves a circularity score of 10.6 per cent. This is higher than the Dutch national average of 9.8 per cent and well above the global average of 6.9 per cent. A strong position that makes the region a logical hub for European knowledge exchange.
The programme brought together expertise around urgent challenges in water, waste and plastics. International keynote speakers shared their perspectives on the role of regions in accelerating the circular transition. During company talks and lab visits, participants explored how research, education and business can jointly develop concrete solutions.
Peter de Boer, Institutional RUN-EU Lead at NHL Stenden, reflects:
“It was a very rich programme where many new connections were created. With this RUN-EU event, we brought together researchers, companies and education around urgent challenges on water, waste and plastics. By working on concrete solutions together, we strengthen innovation and directly contribute to the broad prosperity of our region – economically, ecologically and socially.”
Breaking out of the bubble
Beyond the formal programme, the event created space for genuine exchange. Creative sessions, workshops and site visits encouraged participants to share ideas openly and explore new partnerships.
Willemien Veele, researcher in Circular Plastics at NHL Stenden, experienced the added value of the European context:
“The event brought new connections with partners I did not know before. It was very valuable to learn what they are working on and where our knowledge can connect. What I like about European projects is that you can break out of your own bubble. Different cultures and ways of working refresh your perspective.”
That sense of openness was echoed by Elias Eder, researcher at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV):
“It was very easy to talk to people and share common ideas or visions. The creative session really helped us to progress. You could see the network connecting.”
From connection to continuation
The final day focused on reflection and next steps. In a joint creative session and plenary closing, partners explored how to strengthen collaboration within RUN-EU even further.
Students also played a key role. More than fifty international students from across the RUN-EU alliance presented their research during an international student colloquium, underlining the strong connection between education and research.