WCEF: the story so far
The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is a global initiative of Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. It was initially conceived in 2015 with the goal of bringing the public and private sectors together in a global forum to create a better way to use resources.
The first WCEF was held in Helsinki, Finland in June 2017 with about 1,600 participants from nearly 100 countries. Hosted by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, WCEF2017 identified key elements of a circular economy and showcased solutions and learnings from around the world.
In 2018, Sitra took the concept to Yokohama, Japan where more than 1,100 circular economy experts discussed what we need to do to create a true circular economy by 2050.
In 2019, the forum returned to Helsinki, Finland. With over 2,200 participants, it was the landmark circular event of the year.
To respond to the restrictions imposed during the global COVID-19 pandemic, WCEF was a virtual event in 2020. WCEFonline addressed how the circular economy can help reboot the economy and shared useful tools and solutions with the world for a sustainable recovery. More than 4,300 people from 143 countries participated.
Year 2021 presented two big WCEF events. A two-day proceeding, WCEF+Climate, was held in the Netherlands and online. More than 2,300 participants from 120 countries joined to discuss the crucial role of a circular economy in achieving climate neutrality. The annual main event WCEF2021 was held for the first time in North America in Toronto, Canada, gathering 4,000 participants from 134 countries plus almost 30,000 participants in partner-led accelerator sessions and WCEF Studios around the world.
WCEF2022 was held for the first time on the African continent and in the Global South, in Kigali, Rwanda and online. More than 4,000 people participated from 149 countries, while thousands more joined the 25 partner-led accelerator sessions as well as 15 African and global studios. The event highlighted the importance of African inclusion in the circular economy transition.
Helsinki, Finland was again the site for WCEF2023. The forum was co-hosted by Nordic Innovation and Sitra, with international partners. Nearly 1,900 people from 155 countries participated in person, and the six WCEF Studios gathered over 700 participants. The main event sessions attracted more than 12,600 online views. In addition, more than 5,000 people registered for the 41 partner-led accelerator sessions.
WCEF2024 was held in Brussels, Belgium. The forum gathered 1,531 people from 168 countries in Brussels, while 2,295 people participated in seven WCEF Studios and another 9,800 participated online. This edition was produced by Circle Economy Foundation, International Resource Panel and Sitra, with 22 international partners, 42 expo stand hosts and a plenitude of international collaborators. In addition to the main event, partners offered 11 workshops and 55 accelerator sessions.
WCEF2025 was held in São Paulo, Brazil, the first time the forum took place in Latin America. Altogether 1,206 people gathered in São Paulo and in seven WCEF Studios around the world while more than 16,500 watched online. Attendees from 160 countries participated in the main event. The forum was organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, FIESP (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo), CNI (Brazilian National Industry Confederation), SENAI and SENAI-SP (Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service and its São Paulo office), with 29 international partners, 43 expo stand hosts and numerous international collaborators organising 102 accelerator sessions. As the climate and biodiversity negotiations in 2024 and 2025 also took place in Latin America, the forum was an opportunity to strengthen global collaboration and get businesses onboard to build a circular economy future.
India will be the site for WCEF2026. This will be the first time the event takes place in South Asia. The forum will be organised jointly by Sitra and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of India.
Questions?
Want to know more about the forum? Interested in organising a related event? Read more about how to become a partner or organise side events.
