3D-CIRCULAR: the European project combining the digital and sustainable transitions
A collaboration between universities, businesses and research centres to bridge the skills gap and train leaders for the dual green and digital transitions.
The green and digital transformation in Europe is now a reality, but the real challenge lies in finding the people who will drive this change. While progress has been made on the technological front, the crucial issue today is reducing the skills gap, particularly with regard to digital skills applied to sustainable development.
To respond to this need, the European Union has funded the 3D-CIRCULAR project, which is dedicated to strengthening the dual green and digital transition across Europe.
The project was officially launched on 1 August 2025 and is expected to last 48 months. It was inaugurated with a kick-off meeting hosted by the University of the Aegean in Lesbos, Greece, on 3 and 4 September.
The consortium brings together 32 organisations of excellence from 14 European countries, including leading universities, research centres, major companies and innovative SMEs. Together, they will design new master's and doctoral degree programmes integrating advanced digital skills and circular economy principles.
The Politecnico di Milano's Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, led by Federica Acerbi in collaboration with Sergio Terzi and Alessia Boscarato, is also actively involved in the project, contributing to the management and development of activities.
Alongside academic programmes, 3D-CIRCULAR aims to create innovative certification pathways that combine deep tech with circular economy models. Curricula, courses and self-learning tools are being developed to prepare the future European workforce to promote sustainable growth through digitalisation.
This new educational ecosystem will directly impact the retraining of professionals and the development of young talent, thereby strengthening Europe's competitiveness and promoting the growth of a digital, resilient circular economy.
Further information can be found at: https://3d-circular.eu/