2025 Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden

The conference 'From Brussels to Borås – Biodiversity and Circularity in Focus' is a meeting place for those working with environmental issues, circularity, local and regional development, and international affairs. It is a joint arrangement between three important conferences and meeting places:

• The West Swedish EU Conference – an annual knowledge and inspiration event for colleagues and decision-makers working on local and egional
  development from a European perspective.
• The Swedish Environmental Objective Days – an annual national conference organized by the county administrative boards in collaboration with RUS and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
• ENCORE (Environmental Conference of the Regions of Europe) – a European network for regional environment ministers and other relevant
  political leaders in Europe's regions who work with environmental and sustainable development.

Several parts of the conference program will be joint. Other parts will be held as separate tracks within one of the three meeting places.

Register here

Registration for ENCORE members

Target group

Elected officials and civil servants working with environmental issues, circularity, local and regional development, and international affairs.

Three days in Västra Götaland

September 23 in Gothenburg:
Takes place at the County Administrative Board Västra Götaland and the House of the Region of Västra Götaland
The focus for the afternoon is on political meetings and discussions about biodiversity and circularity, and other political topics.

September 24 in Borås:
Full-day conference at Borås Congress, Akademiplatsen 2 in Borås. 

September 25 in Borås:
Study visits on the theme of biodiversity and circularity in and around Borås.

Program Tuesday September 23

09:00-13:00 – YouthCore, the County Administrative Board 
 
13:30-15:00 - ENCORE meeting + YouthCore, Bergslagsbanan, the House of the Region of Västra Götaland
15.00-15.30 - Break and time for mingle 
15:30-16:30 - Political Discussions: Themes: Biodiversity, Circularity, Cohesion policy and competiveness and growth 

16:30-16:45 - Closing in Bergslagsbanan 

17:00-19:00 – Reception at the residence of County Governor for the politicians

19:00 – 21:00 - Dinner for civil servants in ENCORE 

Program Wednesday, September 24

09:00-09:30 Registration + coffee

09:30-11:15 Opening and introduction of the conference (In English)

11:15-11:45 Break

11:45-12:30 (morning's optional sessions)

• How can courageous leadership drive change? Environmental Objective Days (Swedish)
• Science Park Borås – an international driving force in the circular transition West Sweden EU Conference (Swedish)
• Strategic Approaches and Initiatives for Enhancing Biodiversity, Encore Conference (In English) 

12:30-13:30 Lunch at Borås Congress

13:30-14:50 (afternoon's optional sessions)

• Projects that turn the tide, Environmental Objective Days (Swedish)
• Circular transition in practice – from legislation to good examples West Sweden EU Conference (Swedish)
• Circularity and resource-efficient material flows, Encore Conference (In English)

14:50-15:30 Break

15:30-17:00 Panel discussion and conclusion (In English)

18:00 Mingling at Textile Fashion Center & opportunity to visit the Textile Museum

19:00 Dinner at The Company, Textile Fashion Center 

Program Thursday, September 25 

06:00-08:00 Optional bird excursion at Vänga bog

09:00-11:30 Optional study visits

• Walk along the River Viskan's Park and Experience the Future's neighborhood
• Biodiversity in production forests with practical exercises
• Smart textiles showroom & DO-tank Center
• Lab visit at the Textile University (In English)
• Guided tour of Textile Fashion Center (In English)

11:00-11:30 Drop-in at Navet's Science Center 

11:30-13:00 Let’s wrap it up - joint conclusion (In English) Lunch wrap, and networking