CirCLER

Circular Economy Transition Manager: Supporting the Furniture Sector’s Shift to Circularity

The European furniture industry is facing the challenge of adapting to a more circular economy. To do so effectively, companies need the right expertise to guide this transition. At present, the sector lacks a defined role for a Circular Transition Manager, along with the associated training and qualifications to prepare future professionals.

CirCLER addresses this gap by designing a new curriculum for this emerging profile at EQF levels 4, 5, and 6. The programme will integrate green, digital, and transversal skills while aligning with European frameworks for education and training (ECTS, EQF, EQAVET). In addition, the project will analyse how this role connects with existing ESCO profiles and occupations.

The consortium brings together 23 organisations across the furniture value chain, combining diverse expertise to ensure a comprehensive approach. CirCLER aims to make a wide impact, reaching:

• 130,000 employees, jobseekers, and students
• 30,000 companies
• 100 sectoral associations
• 2,000 VET providers and 5,000 of their trainers
• 65 regulatory and government bodies

By strengthening VET systems at both national and EU levels, the project will support skills development, address training gaps, and enhance the sector’s ability to deliver on circular economy goals.

Practical Outcomes for Companies

CirCLER will produce an innovative training toolkit featuring multimedia resources, interactive applications, and flexible pathways. These tools will be available in seven European languages, enabling learners to build tailored training journeys to meet their professional needs.

A pilot course involving 400 students will test and refine the approach. The programme will be validated by stakeholders and formally recognised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensuring uptake within and beyond the project partnership.

Through this initiative, CirCLER will equip professionals to lead the transition towards circularity across the furniture sector, making the industry more resilient and sustainable for the future.

Financing

Co-financed by the European Union in its call for the Erasmus+ Partnerships for Innovation – Alliances / ERASMUS-EDU-2023-PI-ALL-INNO programme (Project ref. 101140033).

Participants