The European Commission adopted an updated Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) in July 2024. Together with its delegated acts, it will drive a change in the way products are designed for to be more compatible with the principles of the circular economy including changes in materials used, product composition and in information that producers need to provide. The new requirements are relevant for any company placing products on the European market. The ESPR can be seen as an ambitious benchmark for products designed for the circular economy, offering value creating opportunities while responding to regulatory requirements. There is a need to foster a dialogue between European and non-European policy makers and businesses regarding the changing market environment.

The EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) aims to share circular economy best practices from European countries and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange between European and non-European countries with a focus on the Global South and the European Neighbourhood. The EU CERC partners comprise entities from countries that are eligible for Official Development Assistance support, according to the OECD’s DAC list of ODA Recipients. The objective of this assignment to enhance policymakers’ and private sector’s readiness for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), including Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and understanding of the value of ecodesign for circularity. The assignment links to the activities of all the EU CERC labs. The contractor will work with Sitra and Enabel, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation, which are the implementing partners of the EU CERC.

The assignment aims to develop two knowledge products and deliver a minimum of five capacity building activities to raise the readiness for the EU CERC partner countries on ecodesign for circularity, EU ESPR regulation, and related Digital Product Passports. The contractor should take into consideration how the EU ESPR, including its future delegated acts, are relevant for the context of EU CERC partner countries in the Global South and the European Neighbourhood regions. In addition, the contractor should consider how partner country businesses can benefit from European experiences in ecodesign. The material should be adapted to and partially co-created with selected partner country organisations, defined jointly with EU CERC at the start of the assignment. The contractor should also take into consideration the priority sectors that are defined in the ESPR work plan as well as those that are a priority for EU CERC.

The assignment comprises two parts: (a) Development of knowledge products (1.4.2026- 30.9.2026) and (b) Development and delivery of capacity building activities for selected partner country stakeholders (policymakers and business support organisations) (1.6.-30.11.2026). The outputs are provided in English, edited by a native-language professional editor and are presented in Sitra’s (EU CERC) visual style and using Sitra’s tone of voice, following instructions provided by Sitra at the beginning of the assignment.

The publications are expected to be launched at World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in October 2026.

The value of the assignment is 125,000€ (+ VAT), including worktime and travel. The fixed price includes travel and accommodation costs for all experts participating in one on-site travel to the Philippines and one on-site travel India or similar locations.

Project organization

Steering Committee

The Steering committee will consist of at least the Policy Lab Leading Specialist (Sitra), Business Lab Project Manager (Enabel), funders’ representative (MFA), an external expert and the contractor.