Rabobank and CIRCO help SMEs on a circular journey

Rabobank and CIRCO are going to work together to help SME entrepreneurs on the issue of how circular entrepreneurship can add value to their business. CIRCO has developed a training programme for this purpose: CIRCO Track. By combining their knowledge and networks, Rabobank and CIRCO want to boost the reach and impact of the training programme. 

The CIRCO Track is a three-day programme that the participating companies follow in two months. Rabobank and CIRCO will start with 6 training groups (Tracks). When the market demands it, they expand this number.  Using the CIRCO method, participants discover where in their chain there is a loss of value, with which circular design strategy they can find a solution and which circular business model is appropriate. Ultimately, the focus is on the commercial feasibility of the idea. After completing the training, each participant goes home with a concrete, action-oriented implementation plan for a circular product or circular service.

CIRCO is a program of the TKI CLICKNL Foundation, is carried out by professionals from the creative industry and is made possible by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. With the co-financing of this public-private partnership Rabobank accelerates the transition to a circular economy.

Several local Rabobanks, such as those in Rotterdam and Zwolle, have already organised a CIRCO Track. Jan Willem Vogels, Rotterdam Regional Director: "In the CIRCO Track, ten construction companies have set to work on their circular ambitions and business model. They started looking for new ways of working together in the chain and for business opportunities. In a facilitated design process and with specialised high-end knowledge and instruments, they were helped on their way to new or tightened up business plans. We will certainly be setting up new Tracks in 2020, also for other sectors. It's a great way to work with customers on circularity in a targeted way.

Jeroen Hinfelaar, co-initiator and programme manager of CIRCO: "CIRCO's ambition is to mobilise a total of 4,000 companies to undertake circular entrepreneurship. In 2019 we trained the 1,000th participant. A nice milestone, but as far as we are concerned, this is only the beginning. We want to double our impact every year. But we can't do that alone. That is why we are developing a network of partners and co-financiers with a similar ambition. We have already come to know Rabobank as such a valuable partner. The agreement that has now been signed gives further substance to this. This will provide a good basis for us to actually achieve that greater impact together".

During the Week of the Circular Economy, Rabobank organises a Speeddate Event on Thursday 6 February from 13.00-17.00 hrs. for entrepreneurs who want to know more about circular entrepreneurship. Colleagues of the Rabo Circular Business Desk will be present at the Rabobank Business Centre at Croeselaan 18 in Utrecht for questions and advice.

www.circonl.nl

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