On 22 and 23 April 2026, Brussels will host two pivotal days of debate on European circular economy policies at the new ECESP Annual Conference, entitled A competitive and fair circular Europe: The ambition at the heart of the single market. The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a jointly run initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), will bring together institutions, businesses, the financial sector, civil society and the research community to discuss the future Circular Economy Act (CEA), expected to become the foundation of the single market for circular products and services and to shape the next steps in the EU’s green transition.

The European Union is, in fact, embarking on a decisive phase of its circular economy agenda, as the Circular Economy Act is one of the flagship legislative initiatives for 2026 and is anticipated for the third quarter of the year. The ECESP conference will therefore provide a platform for high-level discussion on the ambitions, scope and policy direction of this new regulatory framework, connecting it to other European strategies – from the bioeconomy to industrial competitiveness – and to global dynamics.

A European workshop for the circular transition

The conference will take place live in Brussels over two days, each with distinct yet interconnected objectives. 22 April will be devoted to major policy debates on the CEA, on its contribution to strengthening the single market, on international implications, and on the role of finance in enabling the circular transition. 23 April, on the other hand, will feature “Stakeholder Day”, led by the ECESP coordination group, including working sessions on the Bioeconomy Strategy and five parallel workshops focusing on financing mechanisms, the social economy, intermediaries and brokers, public procurement, packaging, the role of cities and regions, and critical raw materials across specific supply chains.

Like in previous editions, the conference's added value will lie in the exchange between policymakers, businesses, the financial sector, civil society, academia and young leaders. The ECESP platform continues to be a central hub to share best practices, align expectations and co-design policies and projects that combine competitiveness, resource security and social justice. On Stakeholder Day, the Networking Village will provide an opportunity for practical solutions to emerge, fostering synergies along value chains and across different European regions.

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