Adoption of NiCE Project Methodology Kit

The BME Department of Environmental Economics and Sustainability has officially announced its commitment to adopting the Methodology Kit on Stakeholders' Engagement in Circular Lifestyles. This strategic move ensures that the innovative frameworks developed under the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE-funded NiCE Project will continue to shape sustainable urban living and education.

Bridging the Gap: From Pilot to Permanent Practice

The Methodology Kit serves as a comprehensive guide for fostering civic engagement and behavioural change. It provides local actors with the tools necessary to move circular solutions from "niche" experiments to long-term, sustainable urban realities.

BME’s involvement has been pivotal; the Department’s pilot action, “Co-creation for More Circular Cities” provided the real-world data and case studies that are part of the toolkit’s "Practical Examples" chapter.

The "University Living Lab" in Action

Central to this commitment is the continuation of the “Sustainable Business Model Design” course. Now in the Spring semester of the 2025/26 academic year, the course is continuing to function as a “Living Lab” where students apply theoretical circularity to actual business challenges.

Current Semester Highlights:

• Industry Partners: This term, student groups are collaborating directly with Take Easy Energy and Take Easy Marketing.
• Recent Milestone: Just last week, students reached a critical project phase by presenting the Business Model Canvas for their respective partners.
• Next Steps: Beyond the initial mapping, groups have successfully defined the specific sustainability challenges they will tackle throughout the remainder of the semester.

A Vision for Long-term Impact

The commitment was formalized by the Deputy Head of Department and course leader, signalling a long-term intent to weave the NiCE Methodology into the university’s fabric.

We are dedicated to continuing the ‘Sustainable Business Model Design’ course, whether in its comprehensive 14-week format or an evolved blended learning structure. Our goal is to ensure the lessons learned regarding stakeholder engagement remain a permanent fixture of our educational offering. By integrating these methodologies, BME is not just teaching sustainability — it is actively engineering the collaborative ecosystems required for a circular economy.