PhD defence Wim Van Opstal

Keywords: Circular economy, Just transition, Circular society, Organisational forms

"Organising for a Circular Economy and Society:The Role of Third Sector Organisational Forms"

This PhD examined how organisations such as cooperatives, social enterprises, and non-profit associations can contribute to a more sustainable and fair circular economy. A circular economy aims to reduce waste by encouraging the reuse, repair, sharing, and recycling of products and materials. While research and policy often focus on governments and private companies, this thesis showed that third sector organisations also play an important role in making circular solutions work in practice.

The research combined surveys, interviews, economic modelling, and case studies in areas such as renewable energy, housing, repair and reuse, and employment for vulnerable groups. The findings show that these organisations can strengthen trust, social inclusion, and long-term cooperation in circular initiatives. At the same time, they often face barriers such as limited funding and insufficient policy recognition. The thesis concludes that a successful circular transition depends not only on technology and markets, but also on cooperation between different organisational forms and stronger support for socially oriented initiatives

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