IQS-URL is joining EU Green Week 2025 with the “Circularity: from theory to action” programme, a proposal that will launch three activities throughout the month of June aimed at promoting the principles of the circular economy and sustainability among citizens, students, and professionals. With this initiative, IQS is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and innovation, fully in line with the strategic objectives of this year’s edition of European Green Week.
IQS celebrates EU Green Week 2025 with a programme focused on circularity and sustainability
The programme will begin on 12 June at 5 pm with the “Deciphering circularity for a sustainable future” virtual masterclass. Taught by professors Belén Derqui and Yeray Asensio, this session will provide an in-depth theoretical understanding of circularity concepts. The session will address how the adoption of circular principles can impact both business strategies and public policies at the municipal, national, and European levels. In addition, it will explore how the principles of refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle are fundamental to addressing current environmental challenges. The masterclass aims to demonstrate the tangible impact that individual and collective actions can produce in promoting greater sustainable development. Individuals attending the live session will receive a certificate of participation issued by IQS.
On 18 June at 5 pm, IQS will hold an in-person roundtable entitled “The transition to a circular economy: a paradigm shift.” Moderated by Dr Cristina Alonso, director of the UNIJES Reference Research Centre in Ecology and the Environment, the session will feature a panel of experts whose names will be announced shortly. During the roundtable, which can also be followed online, the urgent need to evolve from the traditional linear economic model of “extract-produce-dispose” towards a more resilient and sustainable circular economy model will be analysed. The panellists will discuss the profound impact that this transition has on industry, innovation, public policies, and the daily lives of citizens. The dialogue will show that the adoption of circular principles is not a fad, but a necessary step to ensure prosperity and environmental resilience in the long term.
Simultaneously, from 2 to 27 June, IQS will launch the IQS Circular Challenge 2025, a competition open to individuals that aims to spark innovative ideas to promote circular economy practices. Participants must submit a video with a maximum length of two minutes in which they explain an action, project, or proposal related to one or more of the five fundamental principles of circularity: refuse unsustainable products, reduce waste generation, reuse objects, repurpose by finding new uses for existing items, or recycle materials into new products.
The competition seeks to promote creative, viable, and truly impactful proposals, applicable both at the personal level and in local community or institutional environments. Participation is open to any individual over 18 years of age and of any nationality, and aims to give visibility to real actions that promote a more circular and conscious economy. A professional jury will evaluate the entries based on criteria such as potential impact, creativity, clarity, consistency, and alignment with the principles of the circular economy.
The winner of the IQS Circular Challenge 2025 will receive a prize of 1,000 euros and a 75% discount on tuition for the IQS Master’s Degree in Circular Economy. In addition, all participants will receive a 10% discount on tuition for this master’s degree. EU Green Week is one of Europe’s leading environmental events, organized by the European Commission, and aims to promote debate, awareness, and actions concerning the European Union’s environmental policies. Each year it brings together institutions, companies, social organizations, and citizens to address pressing ecological challenges and build a more sustainable future together.