Bengaluru - Journey

Join the Journey

Are you a master’s student, post-graduate, or young professional interested in circular economy? Do you want to gain hands-on experience in systems transformation, leadership, and entrepreneurship?

If you’re interested in learning how business and entrepreneurship can drive positive environmental and social change, then join us for the Circular Economy Journey from 14 – 26 July 2024.

You’ll have the opportunity to engage with international academic experts and industry practitioners, participate in creative skills sessions, and collaborate in workshops designed to spark innovation and create lasting impact.

Thank you for your interest – Applications are now closed.

Are you up for the challenge?

Bengaluru generates a staggering 4,000 to 6,000 tons of waste every day. Traditional waste management approaches are struggling to keep pace, and we urgently need innovative solutions. It’s time to reimagine how we handle waste, focusing on upstream innovation and embracing alternatives like refillable and reusable business models.

This programme will challenge you to think beyond conventional methods and contribute to a new era of circularity. A circular business model moves away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ approach of the linear economy. Instead, it focuses on keeping products, materials, and resources in use at their highest value for as long as possible. This involves reusing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and recycling to extend product life cycles, ultimately reducing waste. That’s why, you’ll be working in groups with fellow change agents from diverse disciplines to tackle a crucial challenge:

“How can innovation help Bengaluru create a circular economy that focuses on preventing and reducing waste?”

You don’t need a background in waste management or environmental science—just a willingness to learn, innovate, and collaborate with others.

Are you up for it?

What’s in it for you?

By joining the Journey, you’ll embark on a two-week immersive experience where you’ll have the opportunity to:

Tackle Real-World Challenges: Engage with industry experts and mentors to find practical solutions for waste management and other pressing issues.
Collaborate and Network: Connect with like-minded individuals, build lasting relationships, and share ideas that will shape the future of Bengaluru’s circular economy.
Develop Valuable Skills: Gain hands-on experience in circular economy principles and learn how to apply them to create positive environmental and social impacts.
Become Part of a Movement: Contribute to the transformation from linear to circular waste management, reducing our reliance on raw materials, promoting environmental regeneration, and creating new job opportunities.
Join the Incubator: Top solutions developed in the Journey have the possibility to be selected for our Incubator programme, which will advance ideas with high potential.

This journey is not just about gaining knowledge; it’s about becoming a leader in a movement that can redefine waste management and prevention in Bengaluru and beyond.

This is the Journey

Journey is a two-week residential programme that prepares master students, post-graduates and young professionals to lead the transformation that society needs.

Over the past 10 years, EIT Climate-KIC in collaboration with delivery partners all across the globe has hosted more than 70 Journeys, generated over 400 projects and business ideas, and built a strong global network of over 3,000 peers.

The Journey Bengaluru is run by EIT-Climate-KIC and SecondMuse and is funded by IKEA foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to the programme?

Circular Economy Journey Bengaluru is open to all Master Students, PhD students, and young professionals based in India who are interested in Circular Economy and entrepreneurship.

EIT Climate-KIC values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic background.

Can I apply as an entrepreneur as well?

We welcome entrepreneurs to join the Journey if their product or service has a relevant connection to the previously introduced challenge. Likewise, entrepreneurs interested in developing a new idea that aligns with the challenge, and who want to use the Journey for their personal development, are also invited to apply.

What are important dates?

Open call start: 2 May

Application closing: 13 June

Announcement of selected participants: 21 June

Kick-Off session (online): First week of July

Journey programme: 14 – 26 July 2024

Participants must be available for the entire duration as the programme is considered full-time. Accommodation and meals will be provided to all selected participants.

How can I apply?

To apply, please complete our online application form, which can access by clicking on the “apply now” buttons on this page.

The form requires you to provide certain mandatory links and documents, so it’s recommended to have them ready before you start. Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

– A link to a short video (3 minutes) where you tell us more about your interest in the entrepreneurship world and the circular economy field

– Curriculum vitae PDF (in English)

What does the application process look like?

Interested participants should submit their applications by 13 June 2024. A jury composed of members from EIT Climate-KIC and SecondMuse will assess all received applications.

What are the costs?

The programme is free of charge.

Selected participants must sign a contract to confirm their participation and commitment to the programme.

While there is no fee to enrol, participants are responsible for covering their round-trip travel expenses to the Circular Economy Journey destination.

Accommodation and meals will be provided to all participants during the programme.

What is contextualised and experiential learning?

Contextualised and experiential learning refers to an educational approach that emphasises practical, hands-on experiences within real-world contexts. It is an approach that allows participants to gain valuable skills, insights, and understanding by actively participating in relevant and real experiences rather than relying on traditional classroom and academic instruction.

In the context of the Circular Economy Journey Bengaluru, participants will engage in activities, workshops, and site visits that directly immerse them in the circular economy context and entrepreneurship world of Bengaluru.

How can I learn more?

If you have any questions about the Circular Economy Journey programme or the application process, please feel free to contact us via email at: asiapacific@secondmuse.com

Our implementing partner

SecondMuse is an impact and innovation company that works with communities focused on climate, equity and tech to create solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. They connect innovators, entrepreneurs, private/public sectors, and community resources to develop market-driven solutions that transform systems. In essence, they bring communities together to build economies that benefit people and protect the planet.

Our funding partner

The IKEA Foundation is a strategic philanthropy that focuses its grant making efforts on tackling the two biggest threats to children’s futures: poverty and climate change. It currently grants more than €200 million per year to help improve family incomes and quality of life while protecting the planet from climate change. Since 2009, the IKEA Foundation has granted more than €1.5 billion to create a better future for children and their families.

In 2021 the Board of the IKEA Foundation decided to make an additional €1 billion available over the next five years to accelerate the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions. Learn more at: www.ikeafoundation.org or by following them on LinkedIn or Twitter.