Scientific Director
Maria Psyllaki,
Professor, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus
Target Audience
The Course is aimed at a wide range of professionals, organisations and individuals who wish to understand the principles of the circular economy and to integrate sustainable practices into their activities. More specifically, it is aimed at business professionals and executives, engineers and environmental scientists, officials of the public sector and local government bodies, educators, entrepreneurs and start-ups, members of NGOs, as well as ordinary citizens who wish to learn about and incorporate the principles of sustainability and the circular economy into their daily lives, contributing to a sustainable future.
Admission Requirements
Participants must have:
- Basic computer skills
- Internet access
- A personal email account
Delivery Method
Training is delivered exclusively through distance learning, using a dedicated e-learning platform. It combines synchronous and asynchronous distance learning with notes, which makes it particularly easy for working people to participate. This type of training is a flexible form of continuing education, as there are no restrictions of time or place. It is based on the principles of open education and meets the needs of personalised learning.
Type of Certificate
Trainees who successfully complete the Course are awarded a Training Certificate by KEDIVIM of the University of Piraeus. If successful completion of the Course is not possible owing to discontinuation of studies or failure in the examinations, the trainee is awarded a Certificate of Attendance by KEDIVIM of the University.
See a sample of the certificate awarded here
Units
1Teaching/Thematic Unit 1: Transition to the circular economy
1. European policies on the circular economy and the green transition 2. From linear to circular production 3. Economic, social and environmental benefits of circularity 4. Incentives to support the circular economy
2Teaching/Thematic Unit 2: Circularity, Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility
1. The sustainable development goals in relation to the circular economy 2. Circularity in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility
3Teaching/Thematic Unit 3: Product life cycle on the basis of circularity
Product life cycle and reintegration of raw materials into new cycles
- Design
- Production
- Consumption
- Waste management and treatment
- Reintegration of raw materials into a new product life cycle
4Teaching/Thematic Unit 4: Financing tools supporting the circular economy
Funding flows supporting the circular economy
- European funding programmes
- National funding programmes
- Private investment
- The financial system
5Teaching/Thematic Unit 5: Local policies supporting the circular economy in shaping culture and incentives for businesses and households
1. The role of local government in promoting the circular economy 2. Local policies supporting the circular economy 3. Shaping culture 4. Incentives for households and businesses
6Teaching/Thematic Unit 6: Circularity in practice
Elements of circularity at a practical level
- Circularity at company level
- Circularity in relation to climate change
- Circularity in relation to the energy transition
- Circularity in the agricultural sector
- Smart cities in combination with the circular economy
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Course, participants are intended to:
To have knowledge of European policies on the circular economy and the green transition.
To be aware of the incentives provided to support the circular economy.
To have knowledge of the key features of the circular model and of the existing opportunities for transition from the linear to the circular production model.
To be aware of how the achievement of sustainable development goals is linked to the circular economy in practice.
Understand the relationship between circularity and Corporate Social Responsibility.
To understand the life cycle of a product and how it works through the reintegration of the raw materials used into new cycles
Broaden their knowledge through specific (authentic) examples.
To understand the role that local policies supporting the circular economy play in shaping culture and incentives for businesses and households
To identify and be able to evaluate the practices applied by local government for waste management and for recycling and reuse systems.
Become familiar with European and national programmes supporting the circular economy and the role played by the financial system and private investment in promoting circularity.
Understand how circularity works in practice in businesses, in tackling climate change, in the energy transition, in the agricultural sector and in smart cities.
Assessment
The learning outcomes are assessed through a final synthesis paper of 300 words, which is made available on specific dates.
