Project Events
Online Policy Exchange: Policy Brief for EU Decision-Makers
5 October 2026 | Online
The ToCoReRaM Online Policy Exchange brought together policymakers and stakeholders at European and national level to discuss the project’s key findings and the resulting recommendations for supporting SMEs in Europe’s transition towards a circular economy.
The session presented the Policy Brief for EU Decision-Makers Shaping SME and Environmental Policy. It shows that many SMEs are willing to adopt circular principles but face technical, economic, regulatory, and IT-related barriers in practice. The recommendations include clear and harmonized regulatory frameworks, stronger market incentives for secondary raw materials, targeted SME support, and digital tools that translate regulatory requirements such as the ESPR into practical product-development decisions.
The exchange gave participants the opportunity to assess how feasible the proposed measures are in practice and to identify entry points for European and national policymaking, helping SMEs take on their role as drivers of Europe’s circular economy.
Visit our Publications to download the policy brief.
Final Conference at Circularity Days 2026
20-21 May 2026 | Wolfsburg, Germany
The ToCoReRaM Final Conference took place at the Circularity Days 2026 in Wolfsburg, bringing together stakeholders from academia, industry, and policy to discuss pathways towards greater circularity in SMEs.
Our conference featured presentations on the project's key outcomes, including approaches to decision-making for material recovery and the development of a decision-support tool for raw material recovery. Partner contributions highlighted practical applications of circular economy principles across various sectors, from circular design and material passports to manufacturing and regional circular economy strategies.
The conference provided an opportunity to share project results, exchange experiences, and strengthen collaboration between research and industry in support of a more circular and resource-efficient future.
Visit our Publications to download the conference report.
International Workshop & Discussion
13 November 2025 | Brussels, Belgium
On 13 November 2025, the ToCoReRaM project hosted an international workshop at the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony in Brussels.
The workshop brought together representatives from industry, the European Commission, and academia to discuss how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported in implementing circular material strategies. Initial research findings were presented, followed by interactive round-table discussions where participants shared perspectives on implications for business, policy, and future research.
The insights generated during the event provide valuable input for the development of the ToCoReRaM tool and highlight the importance of international collaborationin advancing sustainable product design and circularity across Europe
Visit our Publications to download the workshop report.
Project Kick-Off Meeting
13-14 December 2024 | Graz, Austria
The ToCoReRaM project kicked off in Graz, Austria. Partners from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Atlantic Technological University, and the University of Graz got together to discuss the project goals, set up work packages, and plan the next steps.
The meeting helped lay out a clear path forward, focusing on supporting SMEs to improve raw material recovery.
