CIRCU-TECH Project Kicks Off in Madrid

The CIRCU-TECH project was officially launched with its kick-off meeting in Madrid, Spain, on 30–31 January 2025, hosted by the coordinator,  Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). It was a great opportunity for all project partners to meet and organise the work timeframe for the next two and a half years of collaboration.

This Erasmus+ initiative aims to support the transition of European aquaculture towards a more circular and sustainable model by designing a VR/AR-based training program that upskills aquaculture professionals in circular waste management practices. 

Planning the Route for CIRCU-TECH

Over two days, partners worked together to align on project activities, timeline, and key deliverables. 

The first day mainly focused on the development of the roadmap for transitioning European Aquaculture toward a more Sustainable and Circular Model and the related on-going tasks. Afterwards, an interactive session was organised to define challenges and opportunities. Partners also discussed administrative and financial aspects before enjoying cultural and networking activities at the Museo Nacional del Prado and a social dinner.

During the second day, the lead partners provided an overview of their work ahead, highlighting key activities, expected outcomes, and their interconnections with other actions within the CIRCU-TECH project. The meeting ended with a field visit to UPM’s wave generating laboratory. 

Project Key Objectives

CIRCU‑TECH is a three‑year European project (2024 – 2027), funded by the Erasmus+ programme. By combining education, innovation, and sustainability, CIRCU-TECH will:

  • Promote the adoption of circular and sustainable models in aquaculture to reduce environmental impacts associated with waste management. 
  • Implement climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable waste management practices in the aquaculture sector.
  • Enhance the flexibility of VET opportunities by combining traditional methods with advanced digital learning tools.
  • Design a vocational training programme aligned with industry needs, focusing on circular and eco-design practices in aquaculture.
  • Equip aquaculture professionals with relevant skills and knowledge to meet the evolving demands of the aquaculture labor market.

The team behind CIRCU-TECH

The consortium involves 8 partners from 4 different countries, covering a diverse geographical scope within the EU, as Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, and Italy), and Central Europe (the Netherlands) are represented:

Looking Ahead

The kick-off meeting in Madrid marked the beginning of an exciting journey. The next steps will be to start organising the fieldwork and the focus groups to gather insights about the challenges and opportunities within the aquaculture sector.

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