On 25 March 2026, the Working Group 3 (WG3) Meeting of COST Action CA22124 – EU Circular Economy Network for All (ECO4ALL) was successfully held in Rome, Italy, at Universitas Mercatorum (Spazio Mercatorum), in a hybrid format.
The meeting brought together over 30 ECO4ALL members, participating both in person and online, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for collaboration. The primary objective of the meeting was to advance the development of one of the key deliverables of the Action, Deliverable D4 – “Circular Design Strategy for Consumer Protection and Best Practices”.
The agenda addressed a wide range of topics directly supporting this deliverable, including circular economy performance and policy frameworks, consumer protection in circular markets, environmental product labelling and consumer behaviour, circular design and governance approaches, as well as comparative country analyses and best practices. These discussions enabled the integration of multidisciplinary perspectives and national experiences from across the network.
By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds and countries, the WG3 Meeting provided a strong collaborative platform for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and alignment of contributions. Participants actively contributed to shaping the structure, content, and direction of Deliverable D4, ensuring a robust and evidence-based scientific foundation for its development.
The hybrid format facilitated broad participation and reinforced inclusiveness within the network, allowing members to engage actively regardless of geographical constraints. The meeting also strengthened internal coordination within WG3 and enhanced synergies among participants working on related research topics.
A special acknowledgment is extended to Dr. Maria Menshikova, WG3 Leader, for her excellent coordination and for ensuring the organisation of the meeting in full compliance with COST standards and requirements.
Overall, the event significantly contributed to strengthening cooperation within Working Group 3, fostering the integration of diverse national perspectives, and reinforcing ECO4ALL’s impact in advancing consumer-oriented circular economy strategies across Europe and beyond. The outcomes of the meeting will directly support the timely and high-quality delivery of D4 and future WG3 outputs.
