The FLIER Final Conference took place alongside the FurnCIRCLE Final Conference on 12 June 2025 in Udine, Italy, within the framework of the EFIC Furniture Days 2025. The event brought together representatives from across the European furniture industry to discuss market trends, sustainability priorities, and the geopolitical developments shaping the sector.
The conference marked the culmination of two years of collaborative work supporting the circular transition of the furniture industry. During the session, FurnCIRCLE project partners presented the main results achieved:
- Blueprint for Take-Back Schemes – a comprehensive framework to help companies establish or improve take-back systems as part of circular business models;
- FurnCIRCLE Handbook – a practical guide compiling insights, best practices, and recommendations to advance circularity along the furniture value chain;
- Online Self-Assessment Tool – an interactive resource enabling companies, particularly SMEs, to evaluate their circularity performance and identify areas for improvement.
Participants also learned about the outcomes of the FLIER project, which has developed a new curriculum and an online training course for Circular Furniture Designers. This initiative aims to equip designers and industry professionals with the skills required to navigate the circular economy and prepare for forthcoming European environmental legislation. The FLIER training platform was presented to the audience, showcasing how it complements the tools developed under FurnCIRCLE.
The event highlighted the strong synergies between the two projects, both contributing to the sector’s transition towards more sustainable and resilient business models. Taking place within the EFIC Furniture Days, the conference provided an opportunity to share these new resources with industry stakeholders and discuss how to integrate circularity and innovation into business strategies.
The FurnCIRCLE and FLIER tools will be key assets for helping companies—especially SMEs—align with upcoming policy developments, including the implementation of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
