VERSE joined the conversation on circular innovation at the RUN-EU Circular Society Event: Innovation Meets Regions 2026, held in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, from 18 to 20 February 2026. The project was presented by IPCA – Instituto Politécnico do Cávado e do Ave at an event hosted by NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.
An educational project in a circular innovation setting
During the Exhibition of Tech session on 19 February, VERSE was introduced to industry representatives, researchers, students and RUN-EU partners. The presentation shared the project’s approach to fashion and design education with a community working on sustainable innovation.
The event explored three connected areas of circularity: waste, water and plastics. Its programme brought education, research and business into dialogue through presentations, exchanges and visits.
For VERSE, participation offered an opportunity to discuss the place of education in the circular transition and connect with people developing approaches to resource use and responsible materials management. IPCA’s contribution also highlighted work in ecodesign, recycling and environmental sustainability.
These exchanges extended the project’s dissemination beyond the fashion classroom, placing its educational work alongside other initiatives addressing the practical challenges of a more circular society.