Lessons Learned from the CirCLER Project

This last chapter synthesises key lessons from the CirCLER project, examining the outcomes of developing and piloting the Circular Economy Transition Manager (CETM) profile and its training ecosystem within the European furniture sector. It reflects on a multidisciplinary consortium of universities, research centres, industrial associations, VET providers, and technological organisations, whose complementary expertise supported innovative educational resources and training methodologies. The CETM role emerged as a key outcome, designed to help companies integrate circular economy principles into organisational processes, product development, manufacturing systems, and strategic decision-making. Building on project implementation data and the European regulatory context, the chapter examines circularity as a strategic resource, alongside challenges related to digital tools and systemic organisational change. It concludes by identifying opportunities, lessons learned, and future research directions for the circular transition of the furniture sector.