Foreign policy on the circular economy

This is how we implement the circular economy programme

Finland’s position as a trailblazer in the circular economy requires actions nationally and within the EU, and a coherent and goal-oriented foreign policy. This must show in the work on our country image and in trade policy, development policy, export promotion, and multilateral environmental policy forums.

A comprehensive foreign policy on the circular economy as part of our climate and innovation policy reinforces Finland’s role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in international contexts. It also creates opportunities to offer Finnish and European solutions that support a circular economy to international markets. 

Finland must be active in the EU and in the international negotiations on the agreement on natural resources and commit to continuing the activities of the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF). Finland’s export opportunities can also be furthered by combining the products and innovations of different companies into comprehensive solutions for customers.

What we do and where we are now:

1. We will promote a global transition to a circular economy.

  • The international Circular Economy Resource Centre CERC coordinated by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Belgian agency for international cooperation Enabel by means of funding from the European Commission began operating in the beginning of 2025. CERC will facilitate exchange of information and partnerships between the EU and third countries. The key focus will be on three themes: supporting companies in matters related to a circular economy, strengthening a circular economy through policies and regulation, and strengthening competence. Responsible organisation: Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

 2. We will develop an orchestration model to boost the exports of Finnish circular economy solutions.

  • The Team Finland cooperation partners are putting together a sectoral group on the bioeconomy and circular economy to map out the domestic offering for the network abroad to take the best domestic solutions to the world as good export products and services. Responsible organisation: Ministry for Foreign Affairs.