Events

Workshop on Capacity building of Circular bioeconomy in Namibia 

on Thursday 7 November 2024 at the Village Garden, Windhoek  

Organizers: Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Tampere University, the Embassy of Finland to Namibia, and Meriaura Invest Ltd.  

 Programme

Moderator of the workshop Pietari Arikka from the Embassy of Finland to Namibia

9.00 Registration and morning tee/coffee
9.30 Opening of the Workshop by the Embassy of Finland to Namibia (TBC)
9.45 Keynote speakers from Namibia
Professor Habauka Kwaambwa, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, NUST
Dr John Sifani, Director for Center for Innovation and Development, UNAM
Dr Paulus Mungeyi, Manager, Innovation and Technology Development, NCRST
11.00 Results of the Capacity Building Project: Roadmap based on key findings of two
workshops in Namibia in March 2024, Dr Silja Kostia, TAMK and Dr Mika Kautonen,
Tampere University
11.40 Instructions for group discussions in the afternoon

12.00 Lunch

13.30 Group discussions: validation of Roadmap and ecosystem
14.30 A tea/coffee break
14.45 Group discussion wrap up
15.00 Practical examples of university – industry collaboration, Dr Tero Joronen, TAMK
15.15 Company expectations for the collaboration with educational institutions, Jussi Mälkiä, CEO, Meriaura Invest
15.30 Funding opportunities for joint projects, final discussion and next steps

16.00 End of the Day

Address of the venue 18 Lilliencron Street, Windhoek 

Workshop in Walvis Bay: Accelerating Circular Economy in Namibia

On Tuesday 12 November 2024 in Walvis Bay Community Hall

Finnish project partners Meriaura Invest Ltd.  and Tampere University Communities, in collaboration with NIPDB and municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are organizing the workshop to share Finnish and Namibian knowledge on Circular Economy and to discuss potential business models between companies and public sector in Namibia. Intensive partnerships are key for successful implementation

Programme

08.30 Registration and morning tea/coffee
09.00 Workshop objectives and presentation of speakers, T. Palander, Honorary Consul
09.15 Dialogue on the possibilities of partnerships in Circular Economy in Erongo Region – Hon. Governor, Hon. Mayors of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund
09.45 Background of projects of Meriaura and Tampere Universities Community, S. Kostia, J. Lappi
10.00 Key Note Speech; “National Interest on Beneficiating Circular Economy”, – Hon. Prof P. Katjavivi, Speaker of Parliament

10.30 COFFEE BREAK

11.00 Experience of earlier processes and views on regulatory framework, D. Uushona, Walvis Bay
11.30 Possibilities of turning waste flows into raw material flows, Company Rent-A-Drum
12.00 Turning fish industry waste into animal feed, Company Exigrade
12.30 International sustainability requirements, Meriaura, Minna Suuronen

13.00 LUNCH

14.00 Findings of feasibility study on the collection of used cooking oil, Company BEE, B. Salt
14.30 New opportunities for turning biomass into energy, Dr Tero Joronen, TAMK
15.00 Optional presentation / discussion TBC

15.30 TEA BREAK

16.00 Fostering social sustainability: employment through participation of communities in the context of circular economy, Diaconia College of Finland and ELCIN
16.00 Environmental Investment Fund role in promoting Circular Economy, EIF TBC
16.30 Panel Discussion; “How to take the next steps in circular economy”?, – BEE, Rent-A-Drum, NIPDB, Meriaura, EIF

17.15 Closing remarks

17.30 Short social event for dialogue and refreshments

Venue: Walvis Bay Narraville Community Hall