Global call for WCEF2026 Accelerator Sessions

Updated on 25 June: deadline for Indian applications 8 July 2026.
Updated on 24 June: Updated closed deadline for global applications
Updated on 22 June: deadline for Indian applications 30 June, added tips for Indian applicants

WCEF will be held for the first time in South Asia in 2026. The forum will take place in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India, from 15 to 18 September 2026. The theme for the event is “Circular economy: Transition for people and prosperity”.

What is an accelerator session?

Accelerator sessions are independently organised sessions that extend and deepen the themes of the WCEF2026 main programme. They offer an opportunity to showcase practical solutions, sector-specific insights, partnership models and real-world examples that can help accelerate the global transition to a circular economy.

Accelerator sessions can be organised anywhere around the world. Sessions may be held in person, online or in a hybrid format.

At WCEF2026, accelerator sessions should link to one or more of the forum’s four programme tracks:

• People
• Business
• Governance
• Growth

We particularly welcome proposals that reflect the overall direction of WCEF2026: scaling circular solutions in practice, strengthening resource efficiency and competitiveness, enabling inclusive transitions, and connecting local solutions with global markets, policies and finance.

Tips for Indian accelerator session hosts

To help Indian applicants design sessions that deepen the main programme, proposals may draw upon the following indicative thematic areas, which span the four programme tracks. The list is illustrative, not exhaustive:

• Empowering citizens for circular lifestyles and behavioural change (Mission LiFE)
• Circular value chains for metals and industrial materials
• Cities as circular labs for urban resource systems
• Data, AI and digital tools for circular value chains and recycling
• Jobs for the future: employment opportunities in a circular economy
• Governance as an enabler of circular growth, circular strategies for critical raw materials
• Design for durability, repairability and recyclability, and circularity in renewable-energy systems
• National frameworks and governance for circular transformation, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) across waste streams
• Financing circular growth and mobilising private, green and blended capital
• Integrating the informal sector into circular value chains
• Circular solutions and business models in (textile industry / mobility value chains)
• Rules that shape products and markets (ESPR, EPR) – case energy storage systems
• Industrial symbiosis as a driver of circular growth
• Skills and reskilling for circular industries
• Circular solutions and business models in ICT and electronics industries
• Circular bioeconomy and waste-to-value
• Startups, innovation and youth leadership for the circular economy.

Key details

The sessions must be:

• held on 17-18 September 2026
• held live, not pre-recorded
• open to the public through registration
• relevant to a global audience, while local case studies and perspectives are welcome
• interactive in approach
• up to 3 hours in duration
• non-commercial in nature

Language

The working language of WCEF2026 accelerator sessions is English. If organisers choose to provide interpretation or additional language support for participants, this will be the responsibility of the host.

Selection criteria

We are looking for strong proposals that:

• align with one or more WCEF2026 programme tracks
• deepen and extend the themes of the main forum
• bring forward practical, relevant and globally interesting insights
• create value for participants
• contribute to a diverse, balanced and high-quality accelerator programme
• demonstrate relevant experience, technical capability and credible partnerships in the circular economy, including through the lead organisation or consortium partners.

Proposals will be evaluated on their relevance, quality and fit with the overall WCEF2026 programme. In case several accelerator session proposals cover similar or overlapping topics, organisers may be encouraged to coordinate their plans or develop a joint session. The proposed timing of individual sessions may also need to be adjusted accordingly.

Due to programme capacity, approximately 80 accelerator sessions can be included in the two-day accelerator programme in 2026.

Responsibilities of selected hosts

Hosts of selected accelerator sessions are responsible for all practical arrangements related to their session, including:

• designing the session concept, objectives and format
• inviting speakers and coordinating the programme
• securing the event venue and/or online platform
• organising registration and managing participant communication
• creating and maintaining a dedicated event webpage with programme and speaker information
• following the guidelines for organising WCEF2026 Accelerator Sessions, including the use of WCEF brand assets (images and texts), required participant data collection and communications
• handling marketing and outreach through their own channels, while following the provided guidelines for reaching a wider audience
• managing logistics such as moderation, accessibility, interpretation and catering, where relevant.

All session information submitted for publication must be provided in English and within the requested deadlines. This includes refined session titles and descriptions, practical event details, event website and registration links, and any subsequent updates needed for the WCEF2026 website, communications and social media posts. In addition, hosts are expected to follow the provided guidelines on their own event page and registration forms.

Following the sessions, hosts will also be required to submit a short post-session summary along with key participant statistics.

Role of the WCEF organisers

The WCEF organisers coordinate the application and selection process, support the overall timing of the sessions and promote selected accelerator sessions as part of the WCEF2026 programme on the forum website and social media. Session titles and descriptions may be edited by the WCEF2026 team before publication.

We will share a list of available venues in Gandhinagar with the selected session hosts, to make the venue selection of event venue easier.

How to apply

Please be prepared to submit:

• the host organisation(s) and their contact details (for session content and communications)
• a proposed session title and description
• a short description for the WCEF2026 website
• the target audience of your session
• preferred format, date, timing and duration
• thematic focus areas and relevant SDGs
• promotional social media channels you’ll be using (for the WCEF team to tag)
• a short explanation of how the session contributes to the forum programme and its overall goals

Please note that selected organisers will later be asked to refine and confirm session information for publication. Once approved titles and descriptions have been communicated, further edits may be limited to keep the publication process on schedule.

Apply to organise an accelerator session!

We welcome proposals from WCEF collaborators who can turn circular economy ambition into practical action and help build a strong, diverse and globally relevant accelerator session programme for WCEF2026.

Thank you for applying! The deadline for submitting applications by global organisations closed on Tuesday 23 June, and by Indian organisations on Wednesday 8 July 2026. Selection of the sessions will be made in July at the latest.

Please note that the organisers will be required to respond to inquiries by the WCEF team after submitting the application, also during July and August.