One of the goals of the RIVCircular project is to upskill the European workforce to harness the potential that digital solutions hold in implementing circular economy practices across various industries.
To this end, RIVCircular has developed a comprehensive course on Digital Technologies for the Circular Economy, targeting advanced professionals working on sustainability and digital transformation in their organisations.
Digital Technologies for the Circular Economy
Six live online sessions in November 2025
Online · English · 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 November · 14:00-17:20 CET
Register here
What you will learn
The course explores the intersection of digitalisation, industrial symbiosis, and circular economy, demonstrating how emerging digital technologies can improve sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovation. It provides practical knowledge on the use of AI, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and other digital tools to drive and transform circular economy practices.
Learning Outcomes
- To understand how digital technologies can be applied to specific sectors of the circular economy.
- To develop strategic approaches to leverage AI, blockchain, digital twins, and emerging digital tools in the context of the circular economy.
- To improve the digital literacy of businesses and workers to improve resource efficiency and sustainability.
Who should attend
This course is designed for mid to senior-level professionals working in circular economy sectors, including Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) Management, Waste-Resource and Energy Recapture, EV Batteries Recycling, and the Textile Industry. It is intended for those responsible for sustainability and digital change within their organisations.
The course is particularly aimed at professionals from the RIVCircular regions of Madrid, Hauts-de-France, Brandenburg, Innlandet, Kyiv Oblast, and Kosice, providing broad insights into digitalisation that is applicable across different sectors and industries.
Course structure and format
The course will be taught in English through six sessions, each lasting three hours and twenty minutes. Coordination will be led by representatives of the CIRCULAR Community at the EELISA Alliance of European Universities.
Each session follows an interactive format, combining an introduction to the topic, a short debate, a lecture by an invited expert speaker, an interactive activity, and a final discussion with participants and speakers.
The programme will run online from 5 to 20 November 2025, with two sessions per week on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, from 14:00 to 17:20 CET. This schedule has been designed to accommodate different regional time zones and work commitments.
Programme and Schedule
- 5 November 2025 — General Introduction to Digitalisation and Circular Economy
Coordinator: Prof. Justo García Navarro, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - 6 November 2025 — Blockchain for Transparency and Traceability
Coordinator: Prof. Alexandra Cernian, University Politehnica of Bucharest (UNSTPB) - 12 November 2025 — Digital Product Passports: EU Compliance and Innovation
Coordinator: Prof. Marcos García Alberti, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - 13 November 2025 — Artificial Intelligence in the Circular Economy
Coordinators: Andrés Ogayar Flores, Hiberus Tecnología (HIBERUS); Mariano Minoli Barraco, Hiberus Tecnología (HIBERUS); Alejandro Moreno Budria, Hiberus Tecnología (HIBERUS) - 19 November 2025 — Data Analytics and Digital Twins
Coordinator: Prof. Birgul Çolakoğlu, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) - 20 November 2025 — Emerging Digital Technologies
Coordinator: Prof. Patrick Laube, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Course Faculty
The course is directed by Prof. Justo García Navarro, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). He is Full Professor of Agroforestry Engineering, Head of the “Sustainability in Construction and Industry” research group, and Director of the UPM-Nfq ESG & Talent Chair. He also coordinates the Master’s in Circular Economy of Minerals and Construction Products and serves as UPM coordinator of the AMIR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Advanced Materials: Innovative Recycling. In addition, he leads the CIRCULAR Community at the EELISA Alliance of European Universities.
Alongside Professor García Navarro, the course brings together a team of distinguished faculty from partner universities and organisations, contributing their expertise to each session.
Practical Information and Registration
Fee and eligibility: The course is free of charge and open to industrial professionals working in areas related to the circular economy. Eligibility will be verified during the registration process.
- Language: The course is taught in English.
- Format: Online, live interactive sessions.
- Certificate: A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to participants who attend all six sessions.
- Registration deadline: 28 October 2025.
- Contact: professionalschool@eitdigital.eu
REGISTER HERE