"Innovative Approaches Towards Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy" Interactive Session

"Innovative Approaches Towards Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy" Interactive Session will focus on innovative approaches towards circular economy. It is part of the Garage48 Circular Economy 2017 International Hackathon programme from 6-8th October.

Estonia is holding the Presidency of the European Union Council during the second half of 2017. As a part of the Presidency programme, we aim to highlight eco-innovation initiatives that address circular economy through creating favourable conditions for new business models, increasing the use of ICT, increasing transparency about environmental use and impacts, raising consumer awareness and engagement, creating benefits for implementation of extended producer responsibility.

We will also work towards environmental ENVI Council Conclusions on the 19th of December on creating favourable conditions for innovative solutions in transition to circular economy. In relation to this priority, we will hold various workshops, high-level events and seminars which will engage the EU Member States, NGOs and private sector in discussions and towards action for eco-innovative solutions for the circular economy. One of these is the Garage48 Circular Economy hackathon on the 6th-8th of October.

This session during the Garage48 Circular Economy hackathon programme will focus on innovative approaches towards circular economy. Firstly, the keynote speakers will engage the participants into the theme of eco-innovation and resource efficiency from various perspectives such as circular economy principles, implying them in business and technical solutions for resource efficiency.

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion leading the participants towards thinking on innovative idea development and bringing it to practice. The panel will have representatives from policy, NGO, business sectors, but also from the start-up and developer sectors.

The panel will be followed by an interactive brainstorming session. The aim of this session is for the participants to develop their approach from the idea developer and start-up position, so that we will not only be talking about solutions, but also creating them. Real mentors who also take part in the hackathon will give live feedback on the development of the ideas. The session will give a glimpse of how innovation happens at Garage48 hackathon events and will be a good intro into the real hackathon that will start in the evening of the 6th of October – Garage48 Circular Economy.

Garage48 Circular Economy is one of the events held by the Estonian Presidency that is dedicated to eco-innovation and circular economy. The Garage48 organisation's intensive hackathon is a well developed and tested 48-hour format that works perfectly for validating innovative ideas and solutions and developing prototypes to present working projects. It is a perfect format for networking, sharing knowledge and getting fresh approach and perspective to everyday work. The hackathon is very good example of how limited time, specific skills and motivated teams can produce amazing results.

We are expecting experts, policy makers, private sector and NGO representatives throughout Europe to be part of the discussions on innovative approaches during the 6th of October morning session and also attend the main 48- hour event or parts of it, for example the pitching of ideas in the evening of the 6th and the results in the evening of the 8th, as an observer on how the ideas develop into real prototypes.

Preliminary agenda:

9:00 - 9:30 Morning Coffee

9:30 - 9:40 Opening remarks by Ministry of the Environment of Estonia

9:40 - 10:00 Keynote 1 (Circular economy principles)

10:00 – 10:15 Keynote 2 (Private sector taking action on circular economy)

10:15 – 10.30 Keynote 3 (Practical solutions for circular economy and resource efficiency)

10:30 – 11.00 Panel discussion How do SMEs and start-up’s drive innovation

11:00 - 11:20 Introduction to the Garage48 innovation incubator session & what to expect (hosted by Andres Susi)

11:20 - 12:30 Brainstorming session, teamwork

12:30 - 13:20 Presentation of projects, conclusions

13:20 – 13:30 Summary

Hackathon agenda

The main event will take place on 6th October until 8th October. As an observer you would get most value by participating on Friday evening when ideas are being pitched and most especially on Sunday on the final event when the results of 48 hours work are being presented.  On Saturday teams are developing the idea and meet with mentors and for them it is the most intensive working day. Sunday`s Final event will be live streamed as well.

Friday, 6th October
17:30 - Doors open, check-in, networking, coffee, snacks
18:00 - Opening remarks
18:15 - Pitching ideas (90 sec per idea)
20:00 - Refreshment break
20:15 - Pitching ideas (continues)
20:45 - Forming teams, everyone will choose their favourite idea
21:00 - Teamwork begins!

Saturday, 7th October
09:00 - Coffee & light breakfast. Development continues 
10:00 - Checkpoint #1
11:00 - Mentors go around 
13:00 - Lunch 
13:45 - Product development 
18:00 - Checkpoint #2 & Pitch practice
19:00 - Dinner 
20:00 - Product development continues

Sunday, 8th October 
09:00 - Coffee & light breakfast. Development continues 
10:00 - Checkpoint #3 
11:00 - Pitch drill session #1 
13:00 - Lunch 
14:00 - Pitch drill session #2 
17:00 - Coffee break with light meal/snacks 
17:30 - Final event & LIVE stream 
20:00 Jury deciding
20:30 - Winners & networking

More information and registration to the Garage48 Circular Economy 2017 hackathon event: http://garage48.org/events/circular-economy