CrossCircular
Interreg MR
The CrossCircular project aims to develop a tri-national framework dedicated to education in the circular economy in the Meuse-Rhine region. The goal is to build a sustainable structure for interdisciplinary and transnational training, focused on strengthening skills in circularity through a cross-cutting approach. The project aims to build a solid bridge between the academic expertise of partner universities and the concrete needs of regional industry, in order to train professionals capable of addressing the challenges of the transition to a more circular and resilient economy.
C
companies in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine region face a shortage of talent trained in the circular economy within a cross-border context. Although local universities offer training programs on this topic, these remain rooted in national approaches that are ill-suited to the needs of the region’s businesses. Coordinated by the Euregio Meuse-Rhine EGTC, the CrossCircular project aims to create a sustainable, interdisciplinary, and tri-national educational framework, designed in collaboration with businesses, to better prepare students for the challenges of circularity. It provides blended learning pathways combining university education and internships in companies across several countries in the MR region. This model promotes the harmonization of educational systems and strengthens cooperation between academic and industrial stakeholders while reducing administrative, legal, and student mobility barriers. The goal at the end of the project is to create a springboard for sustainable trinational collaboration in other strategic areas.
In March 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the five rectors of the Meuse-Rhine region to strengthen cooperation in education and research, a potential that remains underutilized in the region. The partner universities are the University of Liège, Maastricht University, the Open University, Hasselt University, and RWTH Aachen University.
The CrossCircular project benefits from institutional support, led by Vice-Rectors Pierre Duysinx (International Affairs and Mobility), Michel Moutschen (Research), and Frédéric Schoenaers (Teaching and Student Life).
Partners
Duration and Funding
- Interreg Meuse-Rhine
- 3 years from 09/01/2025 to 08/31/2028
- Total budget: €2,931,356
- ULiège budget: €466,060
Co-funders
