Topic: A closed meeting with three companies interested in implementing circular economy solutions within their organizations in the Interreg Central Europe – CURIOST project.
On March 12, 2026, SPCleantech organized a one-day workshop as part of the Interreg Central Europe CURIOST 2024-2026 project, in which it is the sole representative of Poland. It focused on supporting SMEs in developing solutions that enable full integration into the circular economy (CE), including assessing their implementation feasibility in accordance with the EU directive.
The CURIOST project covers four sectors: packaging, plastics, construction, mechanics, and mechatronics. Three companies participated in the workshops: two from the plastics industry (Hattrick and KLSG), and one from the construction industry (JMA Partner). We are planning another workshop for two companies soon, with a goal of ultimately having five participating companies.
What could companies gain?
The workshops were led by Dr. Izabela Paluch, president of the special purpose vehicle of the Cracow University of Technology, INTECH PK. Two employees of the Interdisciplinary Center for Circular Economy at the Cracow University of Technology (IC GOZ PK), Tomasz Majka and Artur Bukowczan, also participated in the workshops as mentors.
Companies participating in the workshops received substantive support in validating their solution ideas (product-based, technological, and production-based) enabling full integration into the circular economy. The project does not provide financial support. It will help develop a new business model for the company. The developed business case has market value and can serve as a basis for applying for funding to implement the solutions after the project’s completion.
The mentoring process consists of two stages: a regional stage led by a team of experienced experts representing the Interdisciplinary Center for Circular Economy at the Krakow University of Technology, led by Dr. Izabela Paluch (an expert in innovation and commercialization of ideas), with support from the South Poland Cleantech Cluster, a cluster of innovations and new technologies; and an international stage, with companies and experts from the CURIOST project partner countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary.
The first stage began with in-person workshops in Krakow at the cluster’s headquarters on March 12, 2026. It involved developing the idea and reviewing the company’s new business model. This stage saw validation of the idea under the guidance of an experienced mentor. In the following weeks, individual mentoring sessions with companies will be held, either in-person or online, to refine the solutions.
In the second stage, companies will participate in international online sessions, which will be held on April 22 or 23, 2026, depending on the sector. During these sessions, individual ideas will be presented. Each company will have time to present its finished solution to an international panel of experts and receive feedback. It will also be possible to exchange experiences with other companies participating in the project.
At the end of the process, we will provide information on the funding paths available to entrepreneurs in Małopolska for implementing circular economy solutions. SPCleantech will also provide technical support in applying for funding to implement the developed ideas.








