Novel Training Approach for Circular Business Model Innovation in the Furniture and Woodworking Sectors.

FURN360 (www.furn360.eu) is a European project providing companies, workers, students and entrepreneurs, innovative training tools aligned with the future needs that the Circular Economy can bring within the furniture and woodworking sectors. The project also raises awareness among authorities, especially at local at regional level, about the importance of shifting the current linear economy into a more circular approach, and implementing these principles in VET and labor policies.In the framework of the project, the following results and achievements were realised: - Production of the report ‘Circular Economy in the Furniture Sector: Overview of Current Challenges and Competence Needs: The report summaries existing literature around the furniture industry in the context of a circular economy. A set of interviews of key companies active around circular economy in the sector in European countries allowed us to highlight existing and expected skills and competencies necessary to develop sound circular business models in the industry. The skills and competences were then prioritised by importance by key stakeholders of the sector (companies, business federations/associations, VET institutes).The skillets are classified into specific capabilities: 1.transversal capabilities: systems capabilities, user-centred capabilities, entrepreneurship capabilities, sustainability capabilities, as well as front-end and back-end capabilities. The outcome of the report was used as a starting point to develop a joint curriculum. -Development of a joint curriculum: following a learning outcomes approach, the required knowledge, skills and competences to be able to integrate circular economy principles were defined and classified according to 7 learning modules, encompassing key aspects relevant to a transition to circular economy. Modules include introduction to CE principles, the state of affair of the furniture industry, circular business models, sustainability in the furniture industry, marketing and entrepreneurship, value networks and systems thinking, key enabling technologies supporting the transition to Circular economy. -The development of didactic materials, tools and assessment methods: Each module comprises a theoretical course book, a set of powerpoint presentations, introduction videos, animations and infographics, as well as additional reading resources. For each module an assessment method in form of a multiple answers quiz was developed. An additional module was also developed to put the trainees in a real life situation. A set of mini cases studies developed from real companies challenges was developed to invite trainees to apply acquired knowledge and skills into real life company strategy development.- A learning platform: http://training.furn360.eu, was developed to upload the various didactic materials, and provide a learning space to monitor and assess the trainees learning path.- A European webinar held in June 2020 with more than 100 EU participants involving as keynote speakers major actors of the Furniture industry and the circular economy (EFIC, Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation).At the completion of the project, more than 600 trainees were registered on the training platform. 30 dissemination events were organised with a total of 5542 attendants.