WE.Circular in Bucharest: Peer Review of 6 Circular Business Models

On 17–18 September 2025, Impact Hub Bucharest hosted a two-day transnational event under the WE.Circular project, co-organised by RAPIV and project partners. The event brought together institutional representatives, experts, stakeholders, and entrepreneurs from the Danube Region to present and evaluate six innovative circular business models developed within the project.

Day 1: Peer Review Event – 17 September

The first day was dedicated to the structured peer review of six circular business models. These models were developed based on co-creation workshops with 38 finalists from the WE.Circular Innovation Contest and insights from 12 co-creation reports prepared across participating countries.

The 6 presented business models:

• BM1: Circular Design Accelerators – addressing the lack of eco-design and circular design strategies

• BM2: Resource Champions – tackling challenges in sourcing or reusing sustainable materials

• BM3: Production Optimizers – helping businesses improve inefficient or wasteful production workflows

• BM4: Smart Digital Enablers – introducing tools and systems for data, traceability, and CE performance

• BM5: Market Educators – supporting businesses in raising awareness and market understanding of CE products

• BM6: Collaborative Ecosystems – creating networks, partnerships, and supportive CE ecosystems

Each model was presented by task force representatives and reviewed by experts through small group discussions, structured feedback forms, and facilitated sessions. The peer-review methodology ensured in-depth analysis of strengths, gaps, and opportunities for cross-model integration.

The day concluded with collective recommendations and conclusions, focusing on synergy identification and prioritisation of models for piloting.

Day 2: Dissemination Event – 18 September

The second day focused on sharing results and engaging the broader community.

The event was opened by keynote addresses from:

• Prof. Mihaela Păun, General Director, National Institute for Biological Sciences Bucharest

• Mihail Tănase, Communications Specialist, Viitor Plus – Harta Reciclării

RAPIV presented a summary of the peer review outcomes, followed by presentations from the three finalists of the WE.Circular Innovation Contest, who shared their business models:

• ALTRNTV Lifestyle – Alina Ohanisian

• OilRight – Roxana Damaschin-Tecu

• Style Me App – Oana Bunduc

These inspiring cases brought practical, real-life perspectives on circular entrepreneurship led by women innovators from the region.

What’s next?

Starting in October 2025, each model will be pilot tested with 38 companies from the Danube Region in real business environments. The piloting phase will run until January 2026, followed by analysis and final adjustments.

The results will feed into the creation of the WE.Circular Circular Business Model Toolkit, to be published in April 2026, offering replicable models for supporting circular and sustainable transformation across Europe.