WCEF2025 Accelerator Session: Building an Access Economy Ecosystem – Best Practices from European Lighthouse Cities

How can an access economy approach be part of cities’ circular strategies? What can if mean for material use, but also for livelihood and equal access to quality goods. Can good examples from Europe inspire for solutions in the contexts of other regions in the world?

In this official World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) Accelerator Session, we will introduce the access economy as a circular and social strategy from a city and municipality perspective and share experiences from pilots in several cities in Europe.

Lighthouse cities from across Europe will share best practices from the ongoing development of an access economy ecosystem in their city, as part of their circular strategy. The access economy is an emerging model within the circular economy movement, providing citizens with a high-quality, affordable alternative to buying goods, through renting, borrowing and sharing. Several European cities have begun to test solutions, and will share experiences with cities from across the world in this Accelerator Session inspiring for local action worldwide.

Contribution to the WCEF2025 main programme

With this session we will dive into the perspective of the access economy ecosystem for cities and municipalities as a strategy for limiting material use and increase equal access to quality goods for citizens. This links to both materials and people – highlighting equality and access to for instance household goods in a range of types of neighborhoods and the opportunity in changing expectations on ownership and optimal use of products and materials.