Blue and Circular Economy
Advanced Expert Program on Sustainable Innovation and Circular Economy practices
Education program designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the evolving landscape of sustainable development
About the Course
Unleashing Sustainable Practices: explore the intricate dynamics of blue and circular economies, bringing together the principles of social and environmental responsibility, resource efficiency and circular business models.
Who Should Enroll
Sustainability Professionals
Entrepreneurs in Sustainable Practices
Policymakers and Government Officials
Environmental Scientists and Researchers
Business Leaders and Innovators
What sets us apart
Global Living Labs Network: Immerse yourself in our extensive network of living labs across the globe. Learn from real-world examples and apply your knowledge in diverse environments, from coastal regions to rural landscapes.
Cutting-edge Curriculum: Our curriculum is curated by industry experts and academics, ensuring that you gain insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the blue and circular economy.
Partnerships with Impact: Collaborate with universities, governments, and NGOs to work on high-impact projects. Engage with like-minded individuals and organizations committed to shaping a sustainable future.
Practical Learning: This program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, enabling participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. The practice in-residence diploma consists of one or two weeks assignment on-site at the location that matches your personal journey.
The Blue KmC² Living Labs Network
Explore our living labs around the world, from Fonseca Gulf in El Salvador to Balanka Tech Farming in Togo. Each living lab is a testament to the possibilities of blue, green, orange and circular economies, showcasing successful integration of sustainable practices.
Press here to discover more about the Kilometro Circular network of Blue KmC² Living Labs
Key Features
Global Collaboration: Engage with a diverse community of professionals, researchers, and policymakers from around the world. Foster collaboration and exchange ideas on a global scale.
Experiential Learning: Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences through field research, practical projects, and case studies. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios for a holistic learning experience.
Tailored Educational Programs: Our elective diploma structure allows you to tailor your learning experience. Choose from a range of specializations to align the program with your professional goals.
Strong Academic Track: This program is meticulously crafted by a team of accomplished professors, researchers, and seasoned professionals, working collaboratively under the leadership of the Bio Ocean Solutions Hub of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The initiative is conducted in partnership with universities affiliated with the global network of Blue KmC² Lving Labs, and the AlterContacts Academy for Sustainable Development, an SDG Partnership registered in the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (UN HESI)
Join Us in Shaping a Sustainable Future
Enroll in the Advanced Blue and Circular Economy Expert Program and become a catalyst for change. Join a global community committed to driving sustainable practices, circular innovation, and creating a lasting impact on our planet.
Learning Trajectory
The learning path is composed of four diplomas:
One introduction Diploma - elements of Blue and Circular Economy - delivered in weekly remote live sessions.
One Specialized Elective Diploma of choice, according to your goals - delivered in weekly remote live sessions.
One Mentored Practical Assignment Diploma, depending on your track:
Executive track: practical field assignment on-site at any of the Blue KmC² Living Labs around the world.
Academic track: on-site or digital research work to prepare your thesis.
One Final Diploma - Cultural Diplomacy - that will enable you to achieve your own goals - delivered via remote live workshops and over online platforms.
How to tailor your learning path
1. Start with the first introduction (diploma 1) required for all applicants
Elements of Blue & Circular Economy
Key Concepts: Learn about waste and resource management, industrial ecology, and sustainable production.
Real-World Examples: Discover successful circular business models and initiatives from various industries.
Global Impact: Understand the potential impact of circular economy on climate change, social inequality, and environmental degradation.
2. Choose one of the elective specialties (diploma 2 - 13)
Elective specialty diplomas
The advantage of this program over other average training programs, is in the opportunity for participants to pursue elective specialty diplomas, allowing them to stand out in the professional world and attain a more profound impact. You will gain substantial knowledge in your specific topic of interest or area of application. This specialization provides participants with a deeper understanding and expertise that goes beyond any other generalized curriculum.
3. Practical Assignment (diploma 14) on one of the Blue KmC² Living Lab locations around the world
Practical Assignment or Thesis Work on-location at one of the Blue KmC² Living Labs
In this diploma, the emphasis will be on learning from one or more KmC² Living Labs, which can be done on-site at selected locations, or alternatively via remote research activities.
For participants in the Executive Track, this presents a chance to gain hands-on experience in field activities and apply circular principles in their professional domain. This not only contributes to their personal career development but also enables them to make a positive impact. Press here to see a list of potential deliverables.
For participants in the Academic Track, this offers an opportunity to conduct field research, whether remotely or on-site, and gather data for publishing an article or preparing a thesis. Press here to see the overview of impact evaluation protocols and measurement indicators from SDG target mapping.
4. Final interactive activities (diploma 15) via the online platform to facilitate collaborative workshops, participants will learn about how they can spread circularity in their particular line of work or industry.
Black Swans & Cultural Diplomacy
Online Collaborative Workshops: designed to cultivate essential skills for growth and success in the circular economy.
Blue & Circular Economy Exchange Forum: a virtual space where you can interact with industry experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, exchanging innovative ideas
Blue & Circular Economy Community of Practice: an online community dedicated to circular economy and sustainability. Join us in building a community committed to driving positive change and sustainable practices in the circular economy landscape.
Apply Now to embark on a journey towards expertise, innovation, and leadership in the Blue and Circular Economy.
Organizing Partners
Bio Ocean Solutions Hub
Bio Ocean Solutions Hub is an innovative and collaborative virtual network of entrepreneurs, scholars and researchers in blue economy and open innovation. Its mission is to create systems to reveal hidden talents and opportunities. It is a spin-off from ECOREL and the Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos y Puertos de la Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. Bio Ocean Solutions Hub coordinates the network of universities and institutions partnering in the Kilometro Circular - Blue KmC² Living Labs from multiple locations world wide. Press here to learn more about the Blue KmC² Living Labs Network
AlterContacts Academy for Sustainable Development
Registered in the United Nations Higher Educations Sustainability Initiative (UN HESI), the Academy tackles three key societal issues: 1) School-to-work transition; 2) Youth development and employment; 3) Social inclusion and equality. Press here to learn more about the Academy
Professors and Mentors
Professor Dr. Pedro Fernández Carrasco, Bio Ocean Hub, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
MSc. Massimo Mercuri, Think Tank AlterContacts. The Netherlands
MSc. Julia K. Skupchenko, Think Tank AlterContacts. The Netherlands
Rector Professor Dr. Orquídea Urquiola, Cienfuegos University, Cuba
Professor Dr. Zaid Garcia, Cienfuegos University, Cuba
Professor Dr. C Jenny Correa Soto, Cienfuegos University, Cuba
Professor Dra. C Liz Belkis Rosabal Ponce, Cienfuegos University, Cuba
MA. Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, GoTo Impact Foundation, Malaysia
MSc. Ridwan Fadil Arif, GoTo Impact Foundation. Indonesia
Arch. Carla Linares, Mentu, Paraguay
MSc. Hugo Royg, Mentu, Paraguay
Professor Dr. H. Shellae Versey, Fordham University, USA
Professor MSc. Cristina Morataya Alvarenga, Vekpower, Don Bosco University, El Salvador
Professor Dr. Gonzalo Fernández Sánchez, Madrid Municipal Transport Company, Spain
Professor Dr. Pablo Fernández Arroyo, Aquila Capital, Spain
Professor Dr. Nawel Khelil, Centre Universitaire de Tipaza Morsli Abdellah, Argelia
MSc. Rui Alberto Baptista da Luz, German Federal Association for Sustainability
MSc Ximena Dure, Cofunder of MUV
Professor Dr. Elisa Pozo Menéndez, Researcher at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Professor MSc. Alicia Garcia San Gabino, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain
Professor Dr. Vicente Negro Valdecantos, Ecorel, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Professor Dr. Luis Moreno Blasco, Ecorel, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Professor Dr. Isabel Amez Arenillas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Professor Dr. Pelin Arsezen, Mugla University, Fethiye Turkey
MSc. Julio Francisco Villar, Europa Mundo Vacaciones S.L.U., Spain
MSc. Carolina Baiza, Eco Hotel Árbol de Fuego. El Salvador
MSc.Ivo Kashimana, Universität Hamburg, Germany
Dr. Irene Martín Rubio, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
MSc Almudena Quereda Rodríguez, Professional swimmer
MSc Joëlle Klein, German Federal Association for Sustainability
MSc. Candela Martín Blanco, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
MSc. Raquel Noboa, FSG - Fifty Shades Greener, Ireland
Msc Marta Carrasco, FSG - Fifty Shades Greener, Ireland
MSc Ellen Gearon, FSG - Fifty Shades Greener, Ireland
Practical Information
Dates of the first cohort: March to June 2024
The fee for the complete program comprised of four diplomas is 3600 Euro.
If you wish to course additional diplomas outside of the program, the fee for each unique diploma is 1500 Euro.
For questions or inquires on the maypent methods and installment payments, please contact Ms. Carmen Benavente del Río by e-mail info@fundacionabetancourt.org , indicating in the subject of the e-mail 'ADVANCED BLUE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY EXPERT PROGRAM'.