[CircleUp D4.3] Methodological framework and strategy for workshops and engagement with stakeholders

This document details the strategy for engaging stakeholders in the CircleUp project. Recognizing that consumer habits are shaped by their local environment, i.e. the availability of infrastructure, our project goes beyond individual interventions to address systemic barriers to circular practices, such as a lack of accessible repair services or limited options for reusable packaging. Our approach is designed to facilitate a participatory exchange with stakeholders to build a supportive environment for households. The core of our strategy is a flexible, five-stage process. We provide our consortium partners with guidelines on how to implement the framework in their respective local contexts, while giving them the autonomy to adapt their approach as required. We prioritise stakeholders using an Interest/Influence Matrix, focusing on those who are most critical to the project's success, such as local community leaders and small businesses. All communication is guided by a core storyline that portrays the project as apositive, collaborative effort. All materials will be tailored to resonate with the local audience. Throughout the project, stakeholder involvement will evolve from networking and recruitment to potential collaboration and, finally, dissemination. We will use workshops as a key mechanism for generating ideas and facilitating a participatory exchange. To ensure our strategy remains effective, we will evaluate stakeholder activities by administering questionnaires and conducting optional interviews with selected stakeholders. This will provide us with crucial feedback on how our interventions are received, enabling us to make any necessary adjustments. Through this strategy, stakeholders are positioned as active participants in a shared learning process, helping to test and refine a framework for a more circular way of life.